Joseph E. Thumann

Joesph Edward Thumann, age 89, died peacefully at St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital surrounded by his family on Tuesday May 28,2024.  Born to Antonia (nee Zoeller) and Edward Thumann, Joe lived on the east side of Milwaukee most of his young life. He attended several different Catholic grades schools before graduating from Rufus King High School in 1953. Shortly thereafter, he began working at Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company in the line crew.

In January 1955, Joe joined the Marine Corps and served until December 1957 as radio controller for coordinating munitions drops. He was stationed at Camp Smith Hawaii for his military career where he enjoyed hunting in the mountains, mangos and his share of pineapples!

Shortly upon his return from the rock, he returned to Wis Bell where he met the love of his life Jean Wankowski of Crivitz, Wi and they married in 1962. They created a happy life of fishing, duck and deer hunting and raising 3 boys. Joe was a great gardener which his reward was many wonderful meals made by his wife with the goods from the garden. The family spent many summers in Canada fishing and other cottages in Northern Wisconsin. Joe enjoyed his time in the woods in the fall with its many colors, plenty of wildlife and walks to his duck blind where Joe planted many of the tress in years before to provide habitat for the wildlife. Joe’s passion was duck hunting and would rather get 2 ducks than 10 deer. Being outside for work in the most adverse weather conditions prepared him for those cold days in the boat or duck blinds when others had quit enjoying the sport because of these conditions years before. He enjoyed mechanical fabrication and repair projects in his garage and taught his sons and grandsons the value of hard work and the value of doing things right the first time.

Joe retired in 1993 from ATT&T as a lineman after 40 years of service to the company at age 58. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mark Thumann and several close friends and family.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jean of 61 years. Sons Paul Thumann and Jay (Julie)Thumann and his loving grandsons Jack and Jacob Thumann. Many nephews, nieces and cousins. Joe’s kindness and his story telling will be greatly missed. A special thanks to the nurses, and PT/OT Team that made his stay especially memorable. The days would not have been the same without their efforts, for that we are grateful.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Borgia North Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – 12:30 PM. Interment will be held in the church cemetery immediately following Mass. Visitation will be held at Mueller Funeral Home & Crematory W63N527 Hanover Ave. Cedarburg on Monday, June 10, 2024 from 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM and at the church on Tuesday from 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Arthritis Society, Ducks Unlimited or purchase a Federal or State Duck Stamp to support Duck Habitat or plant a tree in Joe’s name through the Arborist Society.