Joanne "Jennie" Louise Guidinger

Joanne “Jennie” Louise Guidinger (nee Viskoe), passed away on December 10, 2024, at the age of 100 at Lasata Care Center in Cedarburg, WI. 

Jennie was born on April 29, 1924, on the family farm in Ino, Wisconsin to Joseph and Mary Ann Viskoe (nee Brilla). She grew up on the Viskoe farm with her mom and other siblings, helping to keep the family farm, after her dad Joseph died from pneumonia in 1935 when she was 11. Jennie would often speak about chasing cows, chickens and whatever needed chasing into the barn before and after school. She moved to Milwaukee during her teen years and lived with her sister Helen. Jennie worked at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee and Allis Chalmers in West Allis during World War 2. She was a valued employee at the Chalet Motel in Mequon from 1963 until 1990 working first as a maid and later as waitress in the coffee shop. 

In the late 1940’s she met Gilbert Guidinger at the Nightingale Ball Room in Menomonee Falls, where they enjoyed dancing to polka music often provided by Louie Bashell, Six Fat Dutchmen and Guy Lombardo. Jennie and Gilbert were married on May 6, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran church in Mequon. They raised their sons, Randy and Jeff on the family farm (homesteaded in 1851) in Mequon. In 1994 they sold the farm and built a new home in the Town of Cedarburg. 

Jennie is survived by her sons Randall (Marcie) of Saukville and Jeffrey (Patricia) of Cedarburg; 4 grandchildren Andrew (Keri) of Cedarburg, Joel (Sarah) of Port Washington, Jennifer (Ryan) Stauss of Mequon and Robert (Allyson) of Woodbury MN; 7 great-grandchildren Cameron, Adela, Oliver, Grayson, Ava, Georgia and Lukas. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert, siblings; Margaret (Peggy), Joseph, Evelyn (Eva), Helen, Phillip, Irene, Theodore.

Private services to be held.