Joan Fostvedt

Joan Ruth (Kreutz) Fostvedt, 92, of Chetek, Wisconsin, died Friday, March 21, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 23, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, to Erwin and Ruth Kreutz. She was the only girl among five brothers.  She moved to Chetek in 1964 with her family. She was married to James Fostvedt after moving to Chetek.

Joan attended Senn High School and received an LPN nursing degree in Chicago, where she also worked at Bruno’s Menswear. She worked as an LPN at Knapp Haven Nursing Home once she moved to Chetek and always said she learned so much from her long-time colleague, Barb Rockow. Her favorite job, though, was taking care of homebound patients for Barron County Home Health Care. In addition, Joan also worked at the American Legion, owned and operated Erin’s Supper Club and Carter’s Café with the help of James. Finally, she worked closely with the owners, Dale and Donna Elwood, at Dale’s Cafe in Chetek.  She was a member of the American Legion and St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Her best friend was Doris Bayer, and for 52 years, they did everything together. She loved her family and was always interested in what her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing. She said time and again how proud she was of them.

Her favorite team was the Kansas City Chiefs, but she loved watching any football game. She loved to travel and enjoyed girls’ weekends, especially in Door County. Earlier in life, she looked forward to her visits to see her brother, Danny, in Modesto, California. Later on, she also very much enjoyed drives to see Christmas lights but especially to see the fall colors. When she wasn’t traveling, she loved playing cards or Farkle.  She very much enjoyed the food at Lehman’s Supper Club and any place that would mix her up a Brandy Old Fashioned.

In the mornings, she loved her coffee and, when able, enjoyed it more when she was sitting outside in the sun with her flowers.  When she was presented with the opportunity to drink coffee on the beach with the morning sun, she would be more than willing. When indoors, she cherished listening to her favorite playlists, often while writing out greeting cards to send to her family members for various occasions. Though all of these activities kept her very busy, she always found time to get her hair done every week.

She is survived by her children, Joan Langman, Dawn (Steven) Langman, Danielle (Visuth) Sanmai all of Chetek and Jason (Stacie) Fostvedt of Cameron; step-children Richard (Dorothy) Colin of Caledonia, Illinois, Kim (Becky) Fostvedt of Altoona, Joe (Kay) Fostvedt, Julie Zwernik, Kathy (Dave) Ziarnik all of Chetek; grandchildren, Erin (Robert) Eckwright of Wells, Minnesota, Jennifer (Kevin) Reese of Seymour, Wisconsin, Michelle (Jamie) Slack of Tilden, Wisconsin, Patrick (Nicole) Langman of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Joshua Bailkey of Chetek, Andrew (fiancée Nicole Moen) Langman of Chetek, Matthew (Mandie) Langman of Woodville, Wisconsin, Nathaniel Fostvedt of Cameron, and Meghan (fiancée Tony Hopkins) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; great grandchildren, Robert (AnnaMarie) Eckwright,  Nicolas (Kelsey) Eckwright, Elsie and Hattie Reese, Parker Slack, Nora and Ada Langman, Ash Bailkey, Hayleigh Langman, Carter and Cyleigh Cherney, and Colin and Aspen Langman; one great-great-grandchild on the way; 13 step-grandchildren, and 20 step-great grandchildren.  

She is also survived by her brothers, Charles (Jan) Kreutz and James Kreutz both of Florida; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Kreutz, Jana Kreutz, Audrey Kreutz, Joanne Richardson, and Jean Fostvedt; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Fostvedt; best friend Doris Bayer; ex-husbands, Sam Guzzardi and Marceau Colin; brothers, Jack, Dan, and Irv Kreutz; sister-in-law MaryAnn Kreutz; sons-in-law William Langman and Jeffery Beimborn; stepson, Donald Colin; and granddaughter-in-law, Lianne Bailkey.

Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at St. Boniface Catholic Church at 11 a.m.  The family will be greeting visitors at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.