Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck).
She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November 27, 1949. Earl and JoAnn had three children, James Carter Harrop, deceased; Edward Allyn Harrop (Sue), Auburn, Alabama and Janice Louise Hillebrenner (Jeff), Springfield, Illinois.
JoAnn was a homemaker for her family until Jan was in first grade. In 1963 she began working at Whitewater Electronics, and in 1969 she switched jobs and was employed by the City of Whitewater, Wisconsin primarily as a Parking Attendant but also performed other police department administrative duties. JoAnn retired in 1996.
In addition to Ed and Jan, JoAnn is survived by her grandchildren James Carter Harrop II (Lisa), Elk River, MN; Chris Hillebrenner (Maria), Quincy, IL; Angie Hillebrenner, Springfield, IL; and great-grandchildren Jordan Harrop Minneapolis, MN; Carter Harrop, Elk River, MN; and Avery Hillebrenner, Blair Hillebrenner, and Quinn Hillebrenner all from Quincy, IL.
JoAnn enjoyed life. She convinced Earl to buy a pop-up camper which eventually became a thirty-two-foot trailer. Together, with family, they made many trips to Woodruff, WI. Later they had a permanent seasonal campsite at Stand Rock Campground near Wisconsin Dells. Both Earl and JoAnn were avid bowlers. JoAnn was Secretary Treasurer of the Whitewater Women’s Bowling League and provided instruction for junior bowlers on Saturday mornings.
Both Earl and JoAnn enjoyed watching their kids play sports. JoAnn continued to be active after Earl passed away visiting casinos, playing bingo, and being a snowbird in Florida for 10 years. Her favorite card games were Kings in the Corner and Euchre. JoAnn will be greatly missed by her Family.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM CST at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama.
Additional visitation to be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.
The Harrop and Hillebrenner family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Auburn Assisted Living, the Pearl at the Phoenix, and the care givers and Hospice at Arbor Springs all in Auburn, Alabama.
In her memory and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Alabama and Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater are proudly serving the family.
