JoAnn VerBunker Plano

JoAnn V. Plano was born on December 22, 1936, as an only child to Carl O. Olson and Josephine M. Olson (VerBunker) in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. She grew up in Port Edwards, Wisconsin and graduated from high school there. After high school she married James E. Faehling and had three children, Mary Jo, James C. and Michael J. Faehling.

After she and James divorced, JoAnn went on to attend U.W. Stevens Point where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. During this time, she met the love of her life, Franklin V. Plano and they married in 1971. They lived in Wausau for their entire marriage. JoAnn worked for the State of Wisconsin Job Service until she retired in 1999.

JoAnn spent many years tracing her family genealogy and self-published 8 books under "Good Heart Publications" on these lineages. She visited extended family sites in Canada and France. She completed much of her writing at their cottage on Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. She also enjoyed entertaining at the lake and at home serving elaborate dinners for family and friends.

She and Frank traveled to all of the contiguous U.S. states during summer vacations. Frank often said that JoAnn knew every shopping mall, restaurant, hotel, motel and rest stop between Bangor, Maine and San Diego, California.

JoAnn loved her family and she always made sure to remember birthdays of her three children, 8 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and will truly be missed.

JoAnn is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, her sons James Faehling (Joan) and Michael Faehling (Becky). She is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Mary Jo Winnie.

The family would also like to thank Sylvan Crossings on Evergreen Road, Wausau for the assisted living care they provided JoAnn the past 2 ½ years.

A visitation will be held Saturday, July 25th, 2026, from 10 am - 11 am at Helke Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 11 am with Deacon Peter Burek officiating.