Obituary of Joan Marie Jacobowski

Joan passed away in Duluth after suffering a stroke, surrounded by the family and friends who loved her. Joan was born in Fort Hood, Texas to Mary Jean (Mooney) and Daniel G. Jacobowski. After her father finished service in the Army, the family moved back to St Paul, MN where her father graduated from William Mitchell College of Law and became an arbitration attorney. Her mother graduated from St. Catherine University and worked as a nutritionist before raising Joan and her seven younger siblings in St Paul. Joan graduated in 1971 from Saint Joseph's Academy, in its last graduating class.

Joan met Stephen Kozak in Minneapolis, subsequently marrying and raising two children, Maggie and Jesse Kozak. Joan and Steve had many happy and wonderful years raising the kids in the Menomonie, Hayward, and LCO communities. Joan led her kids into radio volunteering on WOJB-FM and numerous plays with the Serendipity and Theater in the Woods theater groups. Much laughter, joy, and love was shared in those years.

Joan attended University of Wisconsin-Superior where she earned a BA in Fine Arts and went on to create many multimedia art pieces, primarily in fiber arts. Eventually her talent as a radio volunteer host led her to working as WOJB’s Program Director. Later her love of plants, foraging, and wild edibles brought her to work at the Hunt Hill Audubon Nature Center in Sarona, WI. Her love of nature, children, learning and reading led Joan to teaching. She worked as a substitute teacher in several schools and later as a teacher at the HACIL school in Hayward. She finished her working career as a Park Ranger/river interpreter for the National Park Service, primarily working at Trego, WI.

Joan has been known and described as a gentle loving spirit whose exuberance spread joy wherever she went. Known and loved by innumerable people across the many paths she walked, Joan will be remembered as a person who buoyed the spirits of all who heard or met her. This intelligent, beautiful woman who loved life so much will be missed and remembered lovingly by the many people whose lives she touched.

There will be a funeral for Joan on Friday, April 19th at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1079 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. A 10am visitation and 11am service will be followed by a luncheon in the church hall. There will also be a Celebration of Life for Joan on Sunday, April 28th 3-7pm at the Seeley Sawmill Saloon, 13505N US Hwy 63, Hayward, WI. All are welcome to attend both events.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WOJB 88.9 FM, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU), Friends of the Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area, Friends of Crex Meadows, Cable Natural History Museum, Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary, and/or Hayward Library Foundation.