Crystal Falls – Joan T. Dennis, 88, of Crystal Falls, Michigan, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center–Dickinson in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

Joan was born October 19, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Paul and Cecilia (Pachter) Jaeger. The second of seven children, Joan spent her early years moving throughout the Chicagoland area.

As a teenager, Joan met the love of her life, Ronald “Ron” Dennis. They married in 1965 and together raised six children.

Joan entered the workforce during the early development of what would later become the computer technology industry. An entrepreneur at heart, she eventually opened her own computer information processing business. After she closed the business, she went on to work in multiple departments for Western Electric/Ameritech/AT&T until she retired.

She loved drawing—especially horses—reading, and all things related to English grammar. Her children could always count on her to carefully proofread homework assignments to make sure everything was correct. We often thought she would have made an excellent English teacher. Joan enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. She loved bingo, bowling in her younger years, knitting, and working with all forms of art media.

Ron and Joan’s rabbit adventures started after her two sons gave up their rabbit-raising 4-H project. They became founding members of the DuPage Rabbit Club, where they continued raising and showing rabbits, producing many trophy winners. Even after they stopped raising rabbits, Joan went on to judge 4-H rabbits at the local county fairs.

Above all, Joan had a caring and generous heart. She was known for “collecting strays,” both people and animals alike. Friends of her children often found in her a listening ear, thoughtful advice, and a welcoming home. Over the years, she lovingly cared for many injured or abandoned animals, including a raccoon, baby chicks, a dog with a broken leg, and countless other creatures in need.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Joan is survived by her sons, Philip (Lucimar) Wortman, Daniel (Karen) Wortman, and Ronald (Diana) Dennis II; her daughters, Patricia (Daniel) Walkowicz and Sharon (Glenn) Donaldson; her brothers, Paul (Beverly) Jaeger, Michael (Terri) Jaeger, and Robert (Jennifer) Jaeger; her sisters, Cecilia Flynn and Doris Behnke; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Dennis; her daughter, Marie Hosteland; her son-in-law, Paul Hosteland; her sister, Barbara Johnson; and her brothers-in-law, Edward Johnson, Thomas Flynn and Donald Behnke.

A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Masonic Lodge located at 815 Crystal Ave., Crystal Falls, MI 49920. In accordance with the families’ wishes, no formal service will be held.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Joan’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com

The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, MI, to honor Joan’s legacy of life.