Joanne Lawren Oesterle of Chelsea, Michigan, age 87, passed away Friday, October 16, 2026, at her home of 68 years. She was born February 21, 1939, in Illinois, the daughter of Samuel and Clara (Credi) Ghidotti.
Joanne spent her very early years in southwestern Michigan before moving to Chelsea with her mother and older sister, Mary Lou. She attended Catholic school through 8th grade and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1957. While in high school, she worked at the downtown Chelsea Pharmacy lunch counter making sandwiches and serving ice cream. In the summers, she also worked at Gaunt’s gladiola farms, becoming a top flower grader for the company by the time she was 18.
The first time she met Sumner Oesterle was when he “rescued” her and her sister, Mary Lou, while they were stuck on the side of the road. Mary Lou was driving them home when it began to rain. She couldn’t figure out how to turn on the windshield wipers and pulled over to find the right controls, mistakenly pulling several knobs off the dashboard. Sumner replaced all the knobs Mary Lou had pulled off the dash, told her she was a darn fool, and got them back on their way. Mary Lou, who had already been on a couple of dates with Sumner, wasn’t surprised by his ribbing. Joanne, however, thought her sister could do better. Fast forward to the fall of 1957, and Joanne and Sumner were married in Columbus, Ohio.
She and Sumner owned and ran Harper Pontiac together from 1958 – 2001. She was also part owner of Total Fitness Outlet with her sons, Jon and Donald. In addition, she baked and decorated cakes professionally for several years.
Joanne’s family and friends were her life. She grew up Catholic, but started going to St. Paul U.C.C. after her marriage, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Church Curriculum Committee for many years. Joanne served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for all 3 of her sons, participated in Boy Scout canoe trips, and organized paper drives (Chelsea’s first recycling effort). She was a room mother for each of her children and even her grandson. She attended any and all school events, helping to organize and run the school fun fairs, and hosting end of the year class picnics in her backyard. In fact, Joanne was known for hosting neighborhood parties throughout the year. She was an excellent cook and baker, sharing the food she lovingly made with all she knew, especially when people were experiencing grief or unexpected life challenges. Joanne loved animals and local wildlife, saving dozens of turtles over the years that mistakenly wandered onto country roads. She decorated the inside and outside of her home for every holiday, to the joy of her neighbors and passers-by. Joanne was an avid John Wayne fan, continuing to watch and re-watch the Duke’s movies until the end of her life.
Joanne’s beloved husband Sumner Oesterle preceded her in death on January 22, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary Lou White of Traverse City, and brother, Samuel “Bud” Ghidotti of Bangor, MI.
She is grieved by her children, daughters-in-law, and grandson: Donald (Teresa Miller); Jon (Mary Rigg); Susan Lynne Oesterle; David (Katie Heil); Sumner (Kenna Parker) Oesterle; as well as several nieces and nephews, her half-sister, Leslie Hall, and her grand-pug, Peanut Geraldine.
Joanne’s family and friends would like to express their gratitude for the loving, respectful, and dedicated attention provided by her caregivers during the last 2 years of her life.
Visitation with family and friends will be held at Cole Funeral Chapel at 11 am on Saturday, November 14, followed by a memorial service at 12 noon. Following the service, the family hopes attendees will join in a repast at the First Congregational Church, 121 E. Middle Street, Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Action, faithinaction1.org, or Ducks Unlimited, ducks.org.
