Joan Elizabeth Drasen

Racine- Joan Elizabeth Drasen, 78, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded with the love of her family, on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 following a valiant 6-week battle with cancer. Joan was born in Washington, D.C. on September 13, 1930 to the late Ernest and Gladys (nee: Nutwell) Millar. She has lived in Racine since 1948. On December 26, 1946 in Maryland, she was united in marriage with George C. Drasen, who preceded her in death on April 28, 1974. Prior to her retirement, Joan was employed as a dental appliance technician at Professional Positioners. Catholic by faith, she was a longtime member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. Joan was also a member of Catholic Junior League – where she formerly served as secretary; and past-president of the Dr. Jones School PTA. Among her interests, she enjoyed gardening and travelling – especially to Haiti, Italy, Venezuela, numerous Caribbean Islands, as well as throughout the United States and Canada. Above all, Joan was so proud of her family and loved nothing more than being in their surroundings. Surviving are her children, Ellen (Patrick) Kruse of Boston, MA; Georgia (David) Wagner, George (Gail) Drasen II, Michael (Sharon) Drasen, Marianne (Gerald) Matson, Daniel (Kim) Drasen and Denise (Walter) Maluschnick; daughter-in-law, Janet Drasen, all of Racine; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Marjorie MacEachen; sister-in-law, Marie Buss; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents and husband, Joan was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Elizabeth Drasen; and son, Ernest Drasen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery – Kinzie Avenue. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 pm and in the church on Saturday from 9-10 am. In memory of Joan, memorials to the Jane Cremer Foundation (for educating and empowering women of Southeastern Wisconsin in the fight against cancer) has been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Michael P. Mullane and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended during the past several weeks. Also, thanks to our many family friends for the many thoughts and prayers in Mom’s time of need. God bless all of you!