Mary Joan Wolsiffer

Mary Joan Wolsiffer, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Yorba Linda, California on the morning of July 1, 2015. Known to most as Joan, she was born December 14, 1924, in Columbus, Ohio to her parents Otto Cornelius & Genevieve (Stoecklein) Schmidt. On April 16, 1955, she was married to John Edward Wolsiffer and together they were the proud parents of 9 children.



As a young lady, she graduated from 'The' Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, emphasizing in Fine Arts. Prior to becoming a homemaker, she held many jobs or careers, including working at a movie theatre; being a receptionist for John Deere; using her art skills as a graphic artist to airbrush red eyes out of photographs; working as a court stenographer; and assisting as a buyer for the boys clothing department at F&R Lazarus & Company (commonly known as Lazarus Department Store, Ohio). All of her experiences in these positions prepared her for her greatest vocation which was as a homemaker. Author C.S. Lewis once said, The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only and that is to support the ultimate career. Joan exemplified this quote and was always proud in her role as a homemaker. She knew that her position in the home was vital and irreplaceable in caring for her husband and 9 children.



Joan maintained many interests and talents over the course of her life. Her passion for art never faded as she loved to draw and held a particular interest in painting beach scenes with rocks. She always enjoyed attending the Laguna Art festivals in the summers. Joan also enjoyed card games including Bridge and Hand & Foot. And among her greatest learned skills (probably from her time as an assistant buyer for Lazarus) was her talent to keep her family of 2 adults and 9 children living on a shoestring budget.



Her faith was an important aspect of her life. Along with her husband John, she was a founding member of Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, La Mirada in 1964 where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She participated in the St. Paul of the Cross Womens Club, including being President of the club at one point. She was always sweet & kind-hearted, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She had the gift of being able to make everyone around her (even complete strangers) feel comfortable and appreciated. Mom said: 'Tell my friends good-bye.'



Joan was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Wolsiffer (2014); son, John Joseph Wolsiffer (1988); daughter, Donna Jean Wolsiffer (1960); sister, Dorothy Marie VanKeuren; and nephew, William VanKeuren. She is survived by her seven daughters; Diane Marie Murkidjanian (husband Gregory, children William and James), Karen Lee Rindfleisch (husband Scott, children Joshua (wife Jodie), David and Michael), Cheryl Lynn Wolsiffer, Linda Ann Schotborgh (husband Roy, children Justin and Vanessa), Mary Jo Deveau (husband Paul, children Lauren and Connor), Susan Kay Hefner (husband Robert, children Talitha, Zachary and Christopher), Teresa Jean Wolsiffer-Maldonado (husband Paul); twelve grandchildren (mentioned above); one great-grandchild, Allie; two nephews, Peter VanKeuren & Jack VanKeuren; the Wolsiffer, Schmidt and Ahlers families; extended Emeritus/Brookdale family, and many other family members and friends. She will be dearly missed.



A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at 10:30 AM at Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, 13013 Santa Gertrudes Ave., La Mirada, CA. Interment will take place following the Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Rosemead, CA and luncheon reception at the Golden Skewer Restaurant, Montebello, CA. A viewing will be held the night prior, Tuesday, July 7, 2015 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA. A Rosary will be said the night of the viewing at 7:00 PM at the mortuary.