Obituaries

Joan Elizabeth (Olson) Shaul

April 22, 1927 - January 03, 2023

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Obituary For Joan Elizabeth (Olson) Shaul

Deerfield - Joan Elizabeth (Olson) Shaul peacefully entered her heavenly home on January 3, 2023. Joan was born April 22, 1927 to Einar and Johanna (Kaupanger) Olson in Deerfield WI. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school and was active with her church circle. During the depression, Joan worked on the family farm and also held jobs cleaning and babysitting to earn enough money to attend high school. After graduating, she traveled to Chicago and worked as a maid for a family in Winnetka IL. While there, the idea of starting her own business was born. She also met her husband, Donald, at the train station in Chicago when both were traveling to Madison. With the end of World War II, Don’s service in the U.S. Navy ended. They married in December 1945 and celebrated almost 67 years together prior to Don’s death in October 2012. Joan and Don had two children: son Michael, and daughter Kimberly. After marrying, Joan and Don initially settled in Madison, with Joan working as a hostess at Manchester’s Tea Room. In the early 50’s, Joan decided to start her own restaurant. The family returned to Deerfield and owned Shaul’s Restaurant for 25 years in Deerfield, serving meals to many people seven days a week. She was always up and in the restaurant by 4:30 a.m. Joan treated her customers like family. She cared for them, scolded them, counseled them and humored them. Joan made sure those in the community who were alone were included for the holidays, annually hosting a Christmas Eve open house at the restaurant and provided meals to those in need. Joan was also known for her pie making skills and even after retiring from the restaurant, she continued to bake pies for friends and family. Not content with retirement, Joan continued working into her 80’s—outliving several businesses at which she worked, including Phillips, a pool and spa company, and Boston Store. She enjoyed talking with customers and was a successful sales woman.

Early in their marriage, Joan and Don would drive to Arizona and California in the winter to visit Don’s niece and Joan’s brother. Eventually they bought a home in Arizona and spent many winters there. Joan continued to go to Arizona on her own through 2020. She had many friends there. She particularly enjoyed time spent with Jim & Elaine Caves and Rosemary & Larry Hale.

Joan loved socializing, playing cards and dancing. She enjoyed the weekly euchre at the community center. She spent her last year at Prairie Gardens in Sun Prairie. Although she needed assistance, she continued helping others, helping the women at her table remember current events and offering advice to her caregivers. She enjoyed the activities led by Stephanie Hilger and was a frequent winner at virtual bowling and cards. The family thanks the Prairie Garden’s staff, Bristol Hospice staff and Pastor Holly Slater. The family also thanks Julie & Jimmy Sorum, JoJo Lindsay, Cheryl Spoehr, Mark Hepfinger, Bob Deutscher, Kay Herms, Bob Riege and Larry & Rosemary Hale for all the time spent with Joan in her final years. Joan was blessed with the support of many other friends and family—too many to list. Joan is survived by her son Michael, daughter Kimberly (Patrick Riha), grandchildren Brent Shaul, Andrea Hepfinger, Michael Hepfinger, Amy Riha, Ryan Riha, and the great grand dogs Miley, Lucy and Minnie as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her husband Don. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church at 3494 Oak Park Road, Deerfield. Burial will follow at Hauge Cemetery on Shaul Lane. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the burial at the church’s Educational Center. Visitation will be held at Ryan Funeral Home at 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 4 – 7 pm. There will also be a visitation at the church, 9:30 – 11:00 am on January 12th. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to continue Joan’s legacy of helping others and has set up the Joan E. Shaul Scholarship Fund to help those who want to be certified as nursing assistants or other healthcare professions. Donations may also be made to St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. 608-249-8257

Services

11 Jan

Visitation

04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Ryan Funeral Homes - Madison North East 2418 N. Sherman Avenue Madison, WI 53704 Get Directions »
12 Jan

Visitation

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Paul Liberty Lutheran Church 3494 Oak Park Road Deerfield, WI 53531 Get Directions »
12 Jan

Funeral Service

11:00 AM

St. Paul Liberty Lutheran Church 3494 Oak Park Road Deerfield, WI 53531 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • January 12, 2023

    Joan, I so enjoyed our talks. Your love of life and community, and the richness of your experiences all came through. You spoke of writing a book, and I hope it becomes available to us. I will want to read it. God bless. Steve Holmes

  • January 12, 2023

    Joan - We will miss you and so will our friends. You were the life of the party at our house parties on Crosby Ave. in Sun City. We enjoyed your stories, your quick wit and your sense of humor. Through good times and bad times your faith endured - what a role model. We will always remember you warmly and with love. Rita and Steve Sondag

  • January 12, 2023

    To all those who loved and will miss my Aunt Joan Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. I know that the stars that shine the brightest are Aunt Joan and all of her siblings. I will miss you Aunt Joan thank you for all you shared with me when I was growing up about being strong getting what you want out of life. I will miss you but I will eternally hear your laugh when I think of you. Mechelle (Shelly) Beghin

  • January 11, 2023

  • January 09, 2023

    I will remember joan as a very special women, and thanks for the pies. Bob Larsen

  • January 09, 2023

    We will always remember the few times we met Joan. Jeff loves telling his ice cream story where he brought homemade supper club frozen desserts for Patrick's birthday and Joan gave her prompt, direct opinion of which one was better (or edible). We smile whenever he shares that story. I was glad to listen to her share about how she owned her own restaurant during Thanksgiving recently. Condolences and prayers to your entire family ❤️ Love Yasmin and Jeff

  • January 08, 2023

  • January 06, 2023

    WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER JOAN'S QUICK WIT,AND READY LAUGHTER. EVERONE AT THE DCC SENDS THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES...SHE TRULY LOVED LIFE. PAM DCC SENIOR CORD.

  • January 06, 2023

    To the entire family, Larry and wish to express our deepest sympathy. Joan, as well as Don, was a big part our lives here in Sun City We will miss seeing her walk over, her pies, her sitting in her "office" and all the fun things we did together we we're blessed just knowing her

  • January 06, 2023

    I will always remember Grandma Joanie. When she was in Arizona, I enjoyed the phone call conversations. She wanted to know What's up in Deerfield? It was a pleasure to know her and I was able to call her Grandma after my own Grandma passed away. Shaul Lane, a friendly road with friendly people at the end of the lane. Love, Jamie

Tributes

  • Love & Compassion Arrangement

    Love & Compassion Arrangement was sent for Joan Elizabeth (Olson) Shaul - January 10, 2023

  • 5 TREES

    Larry &Rosemary Hale planted 5 trees in memory of Joan Elizabeth (Olson) Shaul . - January 06, 2023

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