Joan Blair

Joan (Felten, Samse) Blair, age 91, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 16, 2026 with her family by her side at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau.

She was born on September 15, 1934 to the late Paul and Amanda Felten, in DePere, WI. She was a shy and quiet girl growing up on a farm where she enjoyed riding her horse, Babe.

After graduation from DePere High School, Joan studied to be a medical transcriptionist and then worked at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital. It was in Sheboygan that her best friend, Marlys, set her up on a blind date and met the man she would marry, Ronald Samse on May 5, 1956.

Together they had three children, Jeffrey, Cheryl and Steven, and she spent years raising her children before returning to her career as a medical transcriber at Wausau Medical Center. She was a faithful and loving wife to her husband, Ron, for 40 years until his death in 1996. Before his death, they enjoyed a few years of retirement at "the cottage" they built together on Lake Sherwood in Nekoosa, WI, while wintering in Sebring, FL.

Joan met R. Morton Blair at a grieving class in Sebring, FL and they were married in 1997. They spent the next 28 years traveling the world until his death in 2025. When they were not traveling, she enjoyed quilting, playing her digital piano, playing bridge, and was active in the Golf Hammock Women's Club and the Sebring Women's Club. Joan was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church of Sebring, FL where they had many friends.

After Morton's death, Joan "came back home" to Wisconsin where her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren reside. She took up residence at Acorn Hill Senior Living in Mosinee, WI, where she made new friends and was known for her quiet sweet demeanor.

Joan is survived by her brother, Roger (Dottie) Felten; three children, Jeffrey (Sheryl) Samse, Cheryl (Peter) Schneider, and Steven (Leslie) Samse; grandchildren, Bridget (Ryan) Friberg, Michelle (Bryan) Schueller, Paul (Alicia) Schneider, Sam (Kim) Schneider, Philip (Becky) Xanatos, Leah Schneider, Owen (Shosie) Samse, and Laura Samse; and six great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by one child, Cynthia; her husband, Ronald Samse; husband, R. Morton Blair; sister, Ruth (Gordon) Pedersen; sister-in-law, Darlene Samse and Janice (Donald) Schaetz.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday January 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Baptist Church (152111 Tulip Ln, Wausau, WI 54401) with Pastor Rob Love Officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church. Burial will be at a later date at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caretakers at Acorn Hill Senior Living in Mosinee and the compassionate care team at the Aspirus Hospice House.

Helke Funeral Home is assisting our family.