Joan Barbara Ender, age 84, of Bad Axe, Michigan, passed away on July 5, 2024. Joan was born on January 31, 1940, to the late Albert and Martha Goniwicha. On July 30,1960, she married the love of her life, Merritt Fred Ender, at St. Mary's Church, Parisville, Michigan.

Joan is survived by daughters, Terry (Doug) Koroleski of Allen Park, Michigan; Deanna (Eric) Day of Miamisburg, Ohio; Trudy Ender and partner, Jeff Davey, of Caledonia, Michigan. Grandchildren include Katy (Jeff) Wisser of Allen Park, Michigan; Josh (Lindsay) Koroleski of Imlay City, Michigan; Scott Solomon of Ohio; Ben and Ruby Stolberg of Marquette, Michigan. Great grandchildren include Shaun Wisser, Cody Wisser, Huxley Koroleski and Lucas Bridgewater. Joan is also survived by Marilyn Weiss, sister-in-law (Merritt Ender's twin sister) and foster sister, Valerie Wagner.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Merritt; sister, Betty Schifano; brothers, Cal Goniwicha and Robert Goniwicha; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Zarish and Phelma McKerrocher. Joan had multiple jobs while raising her three daughters. Joan worked in food service, at the Huron Medical Center (now McLaren), in the kitchen, for 30 years.

Joan was Polish and enjoyed her heritage of polka songs and dancing, and was a gifted cook (pierogis, czernina – duck blood soup). Joan and Merritt were active in their Kinde, Michigan community, having many close friends. Joan was a long-time member of the Kinde Senior Club. Joan was also artistic, and over the years tried her hand at ceramics, cake baking and decorating, needlepoint, and quilting (her favorite pastime). Many of Joan's quilts were made for family and friends. She also made many baby quilts that were sent to Native American Indian reservations in Montana and Mexico (as well as the local baby pantry).

She and her husband loved to travel (Hawaii was their favorite, they also enjoyed Las Vegas, NV, and Branson, MO). After her husband's death, Joan moved into the Woodworth Apartments in Bad Axe, where she made many dear friends who played cards together, thrift shopped, and shared their lives. For the last three months of her life, Joan moved in with her daughter, Trudy and Jeff. This move allowed more time together as Joan battled lung cancer. Joan enjoyed Tigers baseball, streaming Netflix, word puzzles, needle point, and most of all, snuggling with the family dog, Deja.

A special thank you to Compassus and Hospice of Holland for their excellent care. A celebration of Joan's life will take place in September. In lieu of flowers and cards, Joan asks that donations be sent to Women's Resource Center (grwrc.org), where her daughter Trudy works.