Joan McArthur’s physician once described her as a “powerhouse of a lady.” She lived a very full 92 years. Her “power” failed on November 18, 2025 and she passed while taking a nap at Oak Park Place in Baraboo.  Joan was born on September 27, 1933 to Grace and Ted Dederich on the Loreto Ridge near Plain. Joan was the sixth of seven siblings in what would become a very competitive, ambitious and successful family. The family moved to Baraboo in 1940 and she graduated from Baraboo High School in 1952. Joan married John F. McArthur in Baraboo in November, 1956. They had two children, Morgan (1958) and Laura (1960).   A good friend of Joan’s described her as a “Trender,” meaning that she was at the leading edge or ahead of her time. The label is apt.  Joan achieved her Masters degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958. She initially worked in the school system as a speech pathologist and went on to open her own private practice in Baraboo. Her career would morph many times during her professional years.  She became a pilot in 1963. Aviation was a point of pride for Joan and she had many notable achievements. She achieved her Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument (CFII) rating and taught many students to fly. She had a commercial rating, which allowed her to fly passengers for hire. She served as president of the Wisconsin Ninety-Nines, a women’s pilot association. She participated in a trans-continental air race. Lee Sherman Dreyfus asked Joan and her husband John, to be his pilots on his Wisconsin gubernatorial campaign. He became governor in 1979. Gov. Dreyfus appointed Joan to chair the Wisconsin Transportation Commission, a regulatory body in state government. She served for four years. Joan was active in community leadership, having served several terms on the Baraboo School Board and later, on the Sauk County Board of Supervisors. She ran for a seat in the Wisconsin State Senate. Joan was entrepreneurial. She started JDM Sportswear, a home-based company that made all-cotton sportswear. UW Athletics was her biggest customer. She was creative at her core. That creativity manifested in her love for gardening, sewing and her leadership skills.  The year 1998 brought big changes. Her husband John died. She retired. Out of the darkness came the light. Joan picked up a digital camera and discovered that she had a remarkable eye for photography. Coupled with her yearning to travel, she began to see the world and record her findings.  On one of those trips – a cruise to South America – she met a widower who shared her love of travel. Colonel Harry Gwynne (US Army, retired) would become her second husband in 2000. Together they experienced much culture and put a lot of pins in the map from their journeys. Joan captured an impressive catalog of photographs - some of which attracted national awards. She became a snowbird – spending summers in Baraboo and winters on Anna Maria Island, Florida.  She became involved with an artist community on Anna Maria and was introduced to painting with acrylic paints. This really put the bloom on her creativity and much like her mother, Joan began to paint (prolifically) after age 70. At some point her emphasis shifted from photography to painting and she self-identified as an artist. Her friend, Carol Kratochwill, offered her great mentorship and her works were displayed in galleries in Florida and Wisconsin.  Creating art made her happy. Viewing her art made others happy. Her last twenty years of life were enriched by the free-flowing fountain of creativity. As a “Trender,” Joan was courageous enough to try new things, to be uncommon or perhaps to be before-her-time. She lived life large and with no regrets. Those of us who were lucky enough to watch and learn from this “powerhouse of a lady” were inspired and amazed. She was loved and will be missed. Joan is survived by her husband, Harry Gwynne; son, Morgan McArthur (Kathy Heffernan); daughter, Laura Rossiter (Steve Beckett); grandchildren, Evan Rossiter (Mallory), David Rossiter (Ivy Mae) and great-grandchildren, Cohen, Shae and Quinn. Special thanks to Dr. Nathan Mustain for his compassion, generosity and loving support. His care gave her several extra years. She was preceded in death by parents, Grace and Ted Dederich; siblings, Paul Dederich, Janet Mattix, Dorothy Dederich, Carl Dederich, Lorry Dederich and Jerry Dederich; husband, John F. McArthur, and son-in-law, Loren Rossiter. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Baraboo, with Father Paul Ugo Arinze presiding. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Private family inurnment will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo. Memorials or donations may be made to the St. Clare Hospital Foundation or the Baraboo Public Art Association.

Linda Schenck November 23, 2025

Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin

Joan was a woman who was forever ahead of her time! She lived life large and we were all the better for knowing her. May she rest in peace.

Beth Goethel November 23, 2025

Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin

Joan was a powerhouse indeed! I feel lucky to have known. I cannot imagine how many lives she touched. She will be greatly missed. Prayers to all who loved her.