Joan Louise Wilds

Joan Louise Wilds, known lovingly as Nana, passed away at her home in Clinton Township, Michigan, on March 9, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on April 29, 1935, in Detroit to Arthur and Claire (Petzold) Weiss, she married Jack C. Wilds on September 15, 1956, in Detroit. The couple shared 36 years of marriage until Jack’s passing on October 12, 1992.

Joan began her career as a secretary for Chrysler before devoting herself fully to her roles as a mother and homemaker. Her strong work ethic remained with her throughout her life, later including sales work with Avon. A devoted member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Clinton Township, she taught Sunday School, volunteered at the annual Harvest Dinners, and was an active participant in the Young at Heart group. She and Jack also formed the cherished “Pizza Cake Club” with close friends, hosting memorable evenings of games, laughter, and dinners. Together they enjoyed Michigan’s outdoors, snowshoeing and spending peaceful time at their family cottage on Lake May in Hawks. Joan had a deep love for animals and always welcomed cats and dogs into her home, showing special kindness to strays. She delighted in sharing her adventurous spirit with her grandchildren through roller-skating, country line dancing, and rock picking, while finding quiet joy in reading and gardening.

She is survived by her children, Tamara Botzen, Kenneth (Karen) Wilds, and Rachele (Paul) Klaser; her brother, Ronald (Marilyn) Weiss; ten grandchildren, Angela (Christopher) Koerber, Ashley (Kevin) Clark, Amber (Bryan) McMahen, Aprile (Todd) Toton, Arielle Botzen, Allison (Addam) Hughes, Adam Klaser, Jennifer (Dominic) Colasanti, Sarah (Jesse) Jordan, and Stephen Kay; and sixteen great-grandchildren, Alexa, Alanna, Ashton, Ava, Annabella, Anderson, Gavin, Parker, Jordon, Nora, Marlie, Ivy, Juliana, Noah, Enzo, and Everleigh. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, and her sister Carol Hoisington.