She attended Indiana University, graduating in 1952. While attending IU, Joanne was a member of the Delta Zelta fraternity, becoming president in her senior year and president of the IU Panhellenic Conference in 1951-1952. Joanne aced home economics classes and loved her ‘Hoosiers’ and ‘Bobby Knight’. After graduating from IU, Joanne married her college sweetheart Norbert Lee Sprouse in 1952 and had two (2) sons, Stephen Bennett Sprouse (1953) and Bradford Lee Sprouse (1955). While raising her family, Joanne volunteered in numerous community projects and organizations. In 1966, Joanne and her family purchased a summer cottage in Northern Michigan on Little Glen Lake. 20 years later she made her charming cottage her full time home where she lived for the past 38 years. While living on Glen Lake, Joanne worked at the front desk at the Homestead and Stewart Zacks in Traverse City, always making time for volunteer work, and pursuing her passion for gardening. She prepared and served in the soup kitchen at Central United Methodist Church every week and was a regular volunteer at the Glen Lake Schools Library and the Empire Community Library. Joanne dedicated much of her time to her family, especially her grandchildren, rarely missing a grandchild’s ball game, ski race, ballet recital, or Christmas performance. Joanne’s enthusiasm for college sports continued and soon evolved to include her new favorite basketball team, Michigan State, as she learned to love ‘Tom Izzo.’ Regarding her own athletics, to this day, a shiny 1st place 1970s Glen Lake Yacht Club Women’s Sailing League trophy sits proudly on her shelf with her name engraved on it.

Joanne was preceded in death by her son, Stephen B. Sprouse (2004), and her sister, Bonnie D. Hollandbeck (2012), and is survived by her son, Bradford L. Sprouse (Jandy), her brother, Thomas G. Bennett (Sylvia), her brother, William F. Bennett (Becky), her granddaughter, Ashley Sprouse Erdely (Kirby), her grandsons, Brandon L. Sprouse (Eleanor), Jack Gezon-Kerby-Miller (Caroline), and Pete Kerby-Miller, and three (3) greatgrandchildren, Iyla G. Erdely, Julian L.

Sprouse, and Hank T. Sprouse.

Whether you were family or friend or a newly made acquaintance, all who knew Joanne felt incredibly welcomed by Joanne; the genuine way she talked to people, and her eyes sparkling above her cheerful, infectious smile. A proud and humble person, Joanne was a philanthropist in her community, a consummate lady, and a pillar of strength and guidance for others. Known for saying, “Do as much good as you can, for as many people as you can, for as long as you can,” Joanne will be fondly remembered as an example and role model of integrity and loyalty by all who knew her. Joanne clearly had a life well lived.

A celebration of life will be held sometime next summer.