Joan Grohowski

Joan Lois Grohowski was born on February 21, 1953
to George and Lois Patzer of Rogers City, Michigan

She made lifelong friends growing up on Evergreen
Street and enjoyed seeing different parts of the
world with her parents as she grew into adulthood
Through her friends, she met her future husband, Michael Grohowskt,
and greatly expanded her extended family through his when they married
in 1972. An only-child growing up, she always wished for a big family
and eventually got her wish with four children of her own

She and Michael raised their children on the
shores of Grand Lake, in the home they
built and improved together over the years.
At her home by the lake, she enjoyed
gardening, swimming, reading, baking
bread, and spending time doing whatever
her heart desired, Joan’s passion for
children carried into her career of more
than 30 years as a beloved teacher with

HeadStart preschool, leading programs in both Posen and Alpena. A
creative and loving teacher to hundreds of children, she inspired and
touched the lives of not only her students, but their families and
communities as well. Through the lives of her students and her own
children and grandchildren, her joy for life, learning, and play will be
her lasting legacy in our world.

After enjoying a last “Christmas” of
games, laughs, and snuggles with her
family, Joan passed peacefully at home
on December 10th, surrounded by her
children, grandchildren, and husband

Joan was preceded in death by:
her parents, George and Lois (Brege) Patzer as well as her
mother-in-law Margaret (Talaske) Grohowski and
father-in-law Gerald Grohowski.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Grohowski,
of Presque Isle and her children,
Gretchen (Brock) Kirschner of Alpena,
Christine (Ryan) Nicometo of Madison,
Mitchell (Sarah) Grohowski of Holland, and
Andrew (Mariana) Grohowski of Hancock.

She is also survived by five grandchildren, Emilia, Luca, Kennedy,
Asher, and Annabel, whom she dearly loved.

Donations in her memory may be made
to the Friends of Grand Lake Library
(P.O. Box 40, Presque Isle, MI 49777)
Through this fund, we hope to see her
passion for encouraging carly readers
continue to burn brightly in our community.

A memorial mass and inurnment of her ashes
is planned for a date to be announced in
spring.