Joan Pulver

Madison - Joan Estelle (Jansky) Pulver, age 90 passed away on August 31st, 2021, at Attic Angel West, where she has resided for the past 12 years. Joan was born April 30th, 1931, in La Crosse, WI to Helen Mae (Garrett) and Raymond Clinton Jansky. Joan graduated from La Crosse Central High School in the winter class of 1949. She then attended business school for two years. She worked over six years, in La Crosse, San Francisco, San Diego, and Madison for various businesses.

She married Glen Curtis Pulver in 1951, and they moved to California where he served in the Marine Corps. After his military service, they returned to Madison where Joan supported the family, while Glen earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1956. They raised two daughters, Julie Lynn and Jodi Dianne. Glen’s career took the family to live in Madison, WI; Porto Alegre, Brazil; West Lafayette IN and Middleton, WI. Glen and Joan designed and built three houses together, then a condo overlooking Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The protection of the marsh had always been important to them both. When Glen passed away in 2000, Joan established a foundation in their name to promote the early education of the young, to understand the need to protect and cherish this ecosystem. Twelve years ago, Joan had another chance to design her last home, a condo at Attic Angel Prairie Point. She was proud of the knowledge she had acquired with Glen and felt confident in the design journey of her new home, and gardens. Joan was very talented, creative, and had many interests. She was a gifted knitter and kept her family in beautiful sweaters of her own design. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining, plus all the activities of university life. She was an avid Badger fan and would refer to the athletes as “her boys”. One of her favorite things was planning and hosting dinner parties in her home with friends, faculty, staff, graduate students, and visiting scholars. In later years she transitioned her love of entertaining to the Blackhawk Country Club, where again she shared this joy with her neighbors, friends, and family. Sharing her good fortune was also important to her. Many charities and individuals were recipients of her blessings and gifts.

Through the 49 years of making a life together, Glen and Joan’s greatest loves were their five grandchildren and travel. They planned several trips with their daughters and grandchildren, sharing their love of adventure. They saw every continent except Antarctica, while Glen was alive. Following Glen’s death, Joan continued this passion and went around the world several times, finding fellowship in different cultures and enjoying evenings of dancing and good food. Her family would not ask where she had been, but where she had not been.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Glen Pulver, her parents, and brothers Robert and Rollin Jansky. She leaves behind children Julie (Kevin) Prestegard, Iowa City, IA. and Jodi (Alan) Martinson, Verona WI., grandchildren Chad (Sarah) Draper, Grant Prestegard, Kira (Robert) Lindenboom, Jazmin (Timothy) Erickson, and Garrett (Meagan) Prestegard, and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family gratefully thanks the staff of Attic Angel Place and Agrace Hospice Care for the loving and tender care they provided Joan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Attic Angel Resident Fund . Attic Angel Association 640 Junction Rd., Madison WI. 53717, Agrace Hospice Care 5395 E Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg WI.53716, or Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy , PO Box 628242, Middleton, WI 53562.

Due to COVID-19, there will be a private family burial held.