Joan Kuypers

Joan Helen Fagan Kuypers, age 89, a lifelong Madison, WI and Naples, FL, resident passed away peacefully on Monday, June 6, 2022, with her family by her side. Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Harold Kuypers (2002) and her oldest son, James Harold Kuypers (1991).

Joan was born on October 8, 1932, to Helen (Church) and Joseph Fagan in Madison, WI. Joan had two older brothers, Joseph (Helen Barnhill) and James (Shirley Fagan). They grew up in Shorewood Hills and thoroughly enjoyed living close to Lake Mendota. Joan spent many summers with her grandparents William and Katherine Church in Iowa as well as running her own youth art camps in the summer.

Joan attended elementary school at Shorewood Elementary and Edgewood Campus School. She graduated from Edgewood High School in 1950.

Joan attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with an Art Education degree in 1954. Joan was an active member of the Alpha Phi sorority. While attending the UW-Madison, she met a gentleman who was a roommate of her brother Jim named Jerry Kuypers. Little did she know she would be marrying her older brother's friend. Joan took a teaching job right out of college in Ann Arbor, MI. Jerry would visit Joan often. Joan and Jerome were married on August 13, 1955, at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Madison, WI.

Joan taught elementary art for many years in the Madison area at Edgewood Campus, Hoyt, Glen Stephens and Thoreau schools. She loved her job and touched many children. Joan established the Art Aids of America where the kids would stay after school and do an extra art project which brought her great joy.

Joan and Jerry were married for 47-years. They raised four children: James (deceased 1991), John (Mary Didier) of Madison, WI, Jenny Kuypers Maroney (Scott) of Mequon, WI, and Jerry (Kelli Pittrof) of Libertyville, IL. Joan was known as "Gran" to all of her eight loving grandkids: Genna Kuypers Jankowski, Paige Kuypers Schaeffer, Taylor John Kuypers, Sarah Grace Kuypers, Reagan Noelle Kuypers, Campbell Rose Kuypers, Carson Bella Kuypers and Cole Jerome Maroney. Joan was a great "Gran" to Hattie James Jankowski. She referred to them as the "olders and youngers" plus "the great one." She cherished the time she spent with them.

Joan and Jerry retired to the Bonita Springs, FL, in the late 80s. They both loved to travel and would often be with members of the family. They loved to cruise and see many different places in the world. Joan was a big Disney fan and visited the parks often. Joan was an avid golfer, volunteer at Attic Angels in Madison, WI, the Art League of Bonita Springs, FL, and the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples, FL. Joan loved to sing and was in several choirs at Bonita Bay and Bentley Village in Naples, FL. Joan was a member of Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, WI, as well as Bonita Bay Club in Naples, FL.

Joan's Catholic faith was very important to her. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Madison, WI, and St. John the Evangelist in Naples, FL.

Joan spent her last 12 years at Vi Living/Bentley Village in Naples, FL. She thoroughly enjoyed all her friends she met there. In her later years, she loved making fused glass pieces and painting with water colors. Her glass jewelry, plates and pictures were something she was very proud of.

The family would like to thank the Physician's Regional Hospital-Pine Ridge and Avow Hospice in Naples, FL, for their great care, dignity and concern they took with Joan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday July 21, 2022, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Drive, Madison, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the following organizations: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart, 2219 Monroe Street, Madison, WI, 53711; American Family Children's Hospital, 1675 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792; Attic Angels Association, 640 Junction Road, Madison, WI, 53717, or the charity of your choice.