Joan Marie Zeglin (Danowski)

Joan Marie Zeglin (Danowski), age 76 passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully on August 12th, 2017 at her home in Prescott, Arizona.

Joan was born in Chicago on January 22, 1941 to Joseph and Helen Zeglin. She was raised by her grandparents Jerzy and Sophie Poludniak. Joan attended St. Simons Grade school and later Gage Park High School in Chicago. While attending school, Joan worked at the local A&P and graduated from Gage Park High School in 1958. On April 30, 1960 Joan married Michael J Danowski at St. Simons Church in Chicago IL. The marriage was blessed with two sons, Michael John Jr. and John Joseph. The marriage ended in divorce in 1980.

During their time in Chicago, Joan worked as a manager for Beeline Fashions and then at McDonald’s. After being on a waiting list for their own McDonald’s franchise, another opportunity presented itself and they became the owners of a Dunkin Donuts franchise. In 1972 another new opportunity presented itself and the family moved to Adams, WI. In 1975, they opened the Good & Plenty Family Inn in Adams. Joan worked closely with the Distributive Educations Clubs of America (DECA) at the High School level employing many co-op students and being an active participant in Judging and chaperoning of many competitions both local and nationwide. In 1978, they expanded the original business to include Good & Plenty Pizza Kitchen. Joan along with a partner later bought The Pines Bowling Alley. After a few years, she then moved to Rome WI and opened the Zeglin Liquor Store. After the businesses closed, Joan worked at selling Real Estate for Pavelec Realty earning her 1 million $ Sales Award the first year as being an agent.

In 2003 Joan took a short vacation to Arizona and fell in love with the city of Prescott. Within a week and with the opportunity to become a live-in nanny for a special family, Joan decided to give Arizona a chance. She took courses at the local college where she learned Lapidary. She was also active in many activities in Prescott including the Tsunami on the Square, an annual performing arts and culture festival. Joan joined Facebook in 2011 which opened up a whole new world for her. She loved keeping in touch with far away friends and family, seeing how their lives were progressing, giving encouragement, and sharing memories. She was often up until the early hours of the morning with her iPad and Facebook! Her biggest joy and activity was her garden. She completely re-created the garden at her home into her own garden paradise with native plants as well as “stowaways” from Wisconsin and Germany. Her favorite plant was the Hosta and thanks to a special Wisconsin friend, that was also well represented in her garden.

Joan leaves behind her immediate family as well as many dear lifelong friends and extended family:
Son: Michael Danowski Jr., Oberursel Germany
Son: John Danowski, Adams Wisconsin
Daughter-in-law: Rita Danowski, Adams Wisconsin
Grandson: Riley Danowski, Adams Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Kerrigan Danowski, Adams Wisconsin
Special “Daughter” Janie Pettyjohn-Pekrol (and family), Arizona

Joan’s last wish was to donate her body to medical studies. She wanted to help others with her death as she did during her life. Unfortunately, this was not possible. In memory of Joan, we ask anyone that has thought of signing an organ donor card, please do so in her honor in order to help others in need.

Many thanks to Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home in Prescott AZ and Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Adams WI for helping with arrangements. Also special thanks to the many special Arizona friends that helped Joan greatly her last few years in Prescott.

Joan would want us to celebrate her life, not only now, but whenever we think of her and the differences she made in so many lives.

There will be an informal get together in honor of Joan at Carlson’s Rustic Ridge, Castle Rock Lake on 24 September from 1 – 4 pm. Feel free to join us to share photos, stories and remember a wonderful lady.

Hugs, hugs, kiss, kiss