JoAnn DeWitt 12/08/2025

JoAnn Irene DeWitt, (Algeo), of New Richmond, WI peacefully passed away on December 8, 2025, at The Deerfield Senior Living Community. She was 82 years old.

JoAnn was born in Cumberland, Wisconsin on July 15, 1943, to Charles Algeo and Myrtle (Rydberg) Algeo. She was the youngest of two daughters. JoAnn never met her father Charles due to his sudden passing before her birth. Her mother later married Leonard Score who had two boys of his own and raised the girls as his own. Following her 1961 graduation from Cumberland High School, she moved to Minneapolis where she attended Hennepin County General Hospital School of Nursing. JoAnn earned her Registered Nurse diploma and went on to work as a “C shift” charge nurse in the New Richmond community until age 70. She married Thomas DeWitt and was blessed with three children. Although they later divorced, they supported one another as parents and grandparents. JoAnn lived her life for her children, always encouraging their interests and supporting them in achieving their goals. Her grandchildren and granddogs were the light of her life. She was their biggest cheerleader at events and in life. She made long-lasting friendships with neighbors on North Starr Avenue where she raised her children and lived for fifty years. JoAnn’s unconditional love and genuine interest in others will be missed by all who knew and loved her; she was the epitome of a caregiver. JoAnn spent countless hours at the Friday Memorial Library. She enjoyed reading, writing letters and poems, walking, and connecting with others at her kitchen table. JoAnn was a member of First Lutheran Church in New Richmond.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Lisa (Drew) Kulzer, Jay (Missy) DeWitt, and Erik (Colleen) DeWitt; grandchildren, Joseph, Katherine, Bailee, Eli and Connor; former husband, Thomas DeWitt; former son-in-law, Matt Hudson; niece Amy (Chris) Shaw and their children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Algeo, Myrtle (Rydberg) Score and Leonard Score; sister, Mary Jane Falk, brother-in-law, Donald “Bub” Falk and nephew, Patrick Falk; stepbrothers, Lawrence Score and Wesley Score.

The family would like to thank Westfield’s Hospital, St. Croix Health Center and The Deerfield Senior Living Community for their compassionate care, guidance and support throughout JoAnn’s journey.

A Memorial Service will be held in the spring of 2026. Interment will be held in Lakeside Cemetery in Cumberland, WI. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.