Joan Ann "Jimmy" Faase, 84, of Cedar Community in West Bend, passed away on Monday, September 10th, 2018 at her home with her family by her side. She was born on May 10th, 1934 to the late Jack and Sophie Eckstein in Milwaukee. Jimmy's life was a journey of love and joy. She felt lucky to grow up with Bert on the same block in Milwaukee and they became friends for life. They have had a zest for life, making each day special and filled with humor and fun. Jimmy attended Riverside High School and was a graduate of Mount Mary College. She married Bert in 1954 just days before he shipped overseas to Germany. As his wife, Jimmy was able to join him and they had a remarkable four years of service in Germany and France. Several years of that service in Europe were lived in a beautiful, but run down, old chateau with running water and electricity provided by Bert's ingenuity. Throughout their life, family was of utmost importance and their four children are a testament to their love. Jimmy was a wonderful wife and mother and with Bert, found special ways to be family together, to make life interesting, instilling values of hard work, kindness and integrity….and humor, there was always humor! As Explorer Scout Leaders they took countless trips with their carpeted busload of teenagers and helped so many young people. In the process Jimmy and Bert stayed incredibly young at heart, a trait that only deepened and served them very well over these many years. Jimmy was an interior decorator and worked at Marshal Fields in Milwaukee for many years consulting with many Milwaukee and area families to create beautiful environments for their homes. She created more than comfortable and distinctive environments for their own family homes in Milwaukee, Cedarburg and Brown Deer. Their homes were always filled with joy, lots of kids, their own and all the neighbor's kids, dogs, great food, parties, and creative chaos of all sorts. She was an adventurer and always was up for a sense of adventure. This was best expressed in the myriad of motorcycle trips all over the United States but mostly on winding, hilly, curvy roads where the beauty of God's creation filled their souls. Jimmy was a pilot and helped Bert overcame a fear of heights to become a pilot as well. They were both captivated and astounded by the beauty of the skies they flew in. Skiing and camping, rv-ing, boating, snowmobiling and travelling throughout the world were also highlights in Jimmy's life. She and Bert took riding lessons with Rev Reisch for many years and worked with his program to help handicapped children to ride. She always knew that they would come to live at Cedar Community when they were retired. But "retired" never really fit their lifestyle. Cedar Community itself became a great passion for Jimmy who, with Bert, restarted the Lapidary Shop and enjoyed working and creating there with others. She worked with Bert and their dearest friends, Rich and Mary Miller and many others at The Closet where they had such incredible fun together while providing a wonderful service to Cedar Community. She was an avid reader and Tai Chi practitioner. Jimmy also was a captain of the pontoon boats and enjoyed being on the lake with the many trips she piloted. She was an active resident, and an enthusiastic promoter of the good life of active retirement. Jimmy was a long term member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Grafton where her sense of helping those in need led her to be part of many Mission Trips to places throughout the world. With her daughter Kit she was responsible for creating beautiful environments for worship there. Jimmy was a faithful participant at St Ben's Meal Program for over 40 years. She gave of herself to so many others. Her generosity and service was part of her simple and practical faith. She was grateful for life and expressed that gratitude in her graciousness, gentleness and kindness to all those who she encountered in her life. Her quiet goodness amidst her life of activity was remarkable. Jimmy met everyone with a smile and an open hearted sincere welcome. She was a co-conspirator with Bert….seeking fun, enjoying life, giving to others, having no regrets, living very much in the moment, loving her family, loving life. We will all miss you, dearest Jimmy, but rejoice in the realization that you are now home with your beloved husband and your dear little Billy in Heaven where we know you are now safe and extravagantly welcomed into your true Home. We will never forget you, Jimmy dear. Bless your heart. Those Jimmy leaves behind to cherish her memory include her four children, Michael (Christy) Faase, Mark (Demetra) Faase, Kathleen "Kit" (Matt) Faase, Kenny (Deana) Faase; Four grandchildren, Zachary (Kate) Faase, Erik (Courtney) Williams, Jack Faase, and Oliver Faase; Her brother John (Sylvia) Eckstein, a sister in law, Judy Koeppl; a sister-in-law, Debbie Faase; other relatives and friends. Jimmy is preceded in death by her dear husband, Bert, her infant son, Billy Faase; her father and mother, Jack and Sophie Eckstein. A Celebration of Life in remembrance of Jimmy will be held on Thursday, September 13th, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 1621 2nd Ave., Grafton. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. They would be grateful for Memorials to be given to Cedar Community Partners in Caring Program and Pilgrim United Church of Christ. Their family is extremely grateful and whole heartedly impressed with Cedar Hospice and the expertise and loving care they extended to Jimmy and her family in these last days. And they are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of kindness and love of friends and neighbors who have meant so much. Thank you. Thank you…. The Hartson Funeral Home has been entrusted with Jimmy's arrangements. Additional information and Jimmy's Obituary may be found at www.hartsonfuneralhome.com