Obituaries

Joan "Joanie” Maria Robarge, age 56, of Chippewa Falls, WI, unexpectedly went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 14th, 2024.

Joan was born on November 25th, 1967, to Jane and Thomas Goldsworthy. Joan was a devoted wife to her husband David Robarge of 33 years, and a nurturing mother to four children. She truly was a beacon of warmth, wisdom, and love.

Joan met the love of her life, David, attending high school in Wausau, Wisconsin. Throughout the years, she treasured spending time with her husband, David, by going out to dinners, traveling to the cabin for a lake weekend, or back up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Joan also spent her time with David watching nearly all the sporting events from their four beautiful children - Janelle, Julia, Thomas, and Tyler. Joan made every effort to show up with her husband, for their children.

Hospitality was one of Joan’s greatest gifts - she always wielded the gift to make you feel seen in the most crowded room and feel heard - that usually came with a hug, and “how’s my sweetie doing?”. When in the presence of Joan, it was nearly impossible to leave the conversation without Joan speaking life into you from the living word of God. Joan partook in Bible Studies with many different groups, who she leaned on for support and wisdom. Joan also adored tending to her horse, Buddy, who was provided with a beautiful pasture to roam in at their home.

Joan’s deepest passion was to speak to all about the goodness of God, especially ministering to her family in whom her legacy will continue to live on.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Joan will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Joan’s spirit lives on through the legacy of a loving family who was deeply cherished and loved by her. She is survived and will be incredibly missed by her husband, David of Chippewa Falls, WI; their four children Janelle (Aleksandr) Ilyushev, Julia (Rasheed) Williams, Thomas (Emily) Robarge, and Tyler Robarge of Eau Claire, WI; mother, Jane Goldsworthy of Ironwood, MI; brother, Paul (Terri) Goldsworthy of Ironwood, MI; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roger and Sandra Robarge of Holcombe, WI; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kent and Carrie Robarge of Eckert, CO; along with many other cousins, nieces and nephews, who will carry out her legacy of radiant joy and caring for those she loved so deeply.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

-2 Corinthians 5:17

In the entrance of eternal rest, she was reunited with her “Papa”, Thomas Goldsworthy, and her beloved first child that did not make it earthside.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 30th, at Harvestime Church - Eau Claire, which is located at 3625 Southwind Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Visitation will begin at 10am, followed by the service at 11am, with a luncheon provided at Harvestime Church after the service.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider a donation to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County in memory of Joan. An endowment scholarship fund will be set up in her name for Christian education in the Chippewa Valley. Joan was empowered to strengthen the ministry to the youth - she truly had a heart for all children to know Jesus. Checks can be made payable to CFCC and mailed to P.O. Box 153, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 - alternatively, donations can be made online to the Joan M. Robarge Memorial Fund: https://www.yourlegacyforever.org/donate/