Joan Schwass
Joan “Joanie” Edith (Ziemkowski) Schwass, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026. She was 92. Joanie was born on September 15, 1933, to Harry and Claudia (Laird) Ziemkowski. She graduated from Ludington High School in 1951. After graduating Joanie was accepted into the nurse training program at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon where she began a lifelong career in the medical field.
First at Paulina Stearns/Memorial Medical Center of Ludington in the surgery/emergency units, then Cornwell-on-the-Hudson Hospital under an ophthalmologist just outside of West Point, NY, where her husband was stationed at the time. After his army days, she returned to Memorial Medical Center in Ludington until Dr. Poposki came to town and she began working as his surgical assistant. Her next endeavor was the field of home care. She worked as a nurse/coordinator at Michigan Home Care, and finally Memorial Medical Center recruited her back as director of the Home Care Department, the position she retired from after 10 years.
Joanie married Theodore “Ted” Schwass on Sept. 11, 1954, and cherished 65 years of marriage together before he passed away on Sunday, Apr. 5, 2020. They had two children, Jeffrey and Jolynn.
Joanie was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ludington, fondly remembered as “The Pie Lady,” and involved in several local clubs serving leadership positions in most of them Beta Sigma Phi (Laureate Omicron Chapter), P.E.O. Sisterhood (Chapter EU), The Nurses Association, The United Methodist Women, Westshore Wizards Investment Club and Zonta).
Joanie loved playing bridge weekly with friends, her supper club group, reading, cooking and baking, shopping, travel and the beach. Joanie is now reunited with Ted, and they are dancing the polka as they so often did at celebrations.
Joanie was preceded in death by her husband Theodore “Ted” Schwass; father and mother Harry and Claudia Ziemkowski; and brother James “Jim” Ziemkowski.
She is survived by her son Jeffrey Schwass (Sheri); daughter Jolynn Steiler (Donald); grandchildren Anthony Schwass (Amanda), Alycia Schwass (Matt), Emma Steiler (Syd), and Mitchell Steiler; as well as great-grandchildren Elliot Schwass, Charlotte Schwass and Evelyn Schwass. Joanie is further survived by her brother Gerald “Jerry” Ziemkowski (Ann); goddaughter Stephanie Hackert; brother-in-law Mitchel Schwass (Caroline); nieces, nephews and many cousins.
Thank you to Kayla and her team at the Village Manor and also Elara Hospice Caring for their outstanding care of Joanie.
A memorial service for Joanie will be held at a later date.
Memorials can be directed to the United Methodist Church of Ludington or the P.E.O. EU Chapter ℅ TJaye Brand – 322 N William Street, Ludington, MI 49431.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com.
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