Joanne A. Selkurt-Martin
Joanne A. Selkurt-Martin, M.D., 81, of Whitehall, lost her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 24, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Joanne was born July 31, 1942, in Detroit, MI, to Leonard and Helen (Light) Selkurt. The family moved from Detroit to Peoria, IL and later settled in Racine. Joanne graduated from the Racine Lutheran High School in 1960. As a first-generation college student, Joanne graduated from UW-Madison in 1964, with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Chemistry. She was accepted into medical school at UW-Madison and graduated in 1968. Of note, Joanne was one of just seven women in a class of nearly one hundred students.
During medical school she met her husband, Brad Martin. They were married in Racine shortly after graduation on June 21, 1969. During the next several years they moved throughout the United States to complete their medical training. They spent two years in Seattle, WA, followed by two years serving in the United States Public Health Service, where they were stationed in Tehlequah, OK, working with the Indian Health Service. Dr. Selkurt completed her pediatric residency in Madison in 1974. She began her career as a pediatrician with Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse. In 1978, she transferred to the Gundersen Clinic in Whitehall where she spent nearly 35 years caring for women and children of the region.
Aside from being a practicing physician, Dr. Selkurt was heavily involved in medical education and outreach. She served as a clinical adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics for her entire career. She received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1977 and 1978 for her dedication to students. For many years she served as a preceptor for medical students completing their pediatric rotations at the Whitehall clinic. In 2010, she received the prestigious Sigurd Siverston Medical Education Award from the University of Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association.
Dr. Selkurt was active with the American Academy of Pediatrics at both the state and national levels, sitting on numerous committees. She served numerous officer roles for the Wisconsin chapter, including president from 1995 to 2002. Dr. Selkurt was also active in the Wisconsin State Medical Society where she sat on various task forces. For 27 years, she hosted a biweekly talk show titled “Health Concerns of Women & Children” that aired on Western Wisconsin Communications cable TV. In this show she presented and discussed important and timely topics relating to healthcare. She was named Physician Citizen of the Year by the Wisconsin State Medical Society in 1999 and Pediatrician of the Year American Academy of Pediatrics Wisconsin Chapter in 2003.
Dr. Selkurt also found time to give back to her community in many meaningful ways. She directed the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church kids choir for decades, putting on elaborate cantatas and singing songs regularly for the congregation each month. As an avid reader she supported the Whitehall Public Library’s summer reading program. One of her favorite days each year was dressing up as a character related to the summer’s theme and leading the kiddie parade around Melby Park. Starting as a troop leader for her eldest daughter, she became involved with the Girl Scouts. Joanne was most proud of helping to create and direct the Winding Paths Day Camp. This was a summer staple for many of the region’s young girls. She remained the troop leader for Whitehall’s Cadette and Senior girls for many years. Joanne took so much pride in seeing these young women earn their Silver and Gold awards each spring. She received a Girl Scouts of Distinction award in 2002 from the Riverland Council.
Dr. Selkurt also volunteered on an international level. During a residency rotation in the early 1970s, she and Dr. Martin spent two months working in Puerto Cabezas, a small coastal community in Nicaragua. This experience was the beginning of a more than a 40 year passion for international humanitarian work for the couple. In the early 1990s, they started volunteering extensively with the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners. They helped to coordinate numerous different missions to Nicaragua. It was through this effort that she became involved with Healing the Children. Through this program they hosted six Nicaraguan foster children who came to Whitehall in order to seek medical care.
Dr. Selkurt was an amazing mother and grandmother. She never missed attending her daughters’ activities, from sporting events to band and choir concerts, as well as traveling often to see her grandchildren’s events. She enjoyed reading, sewing (making numerous costumes and Santas over the years), traveling and attending the theater.
Joanne is survived by her two daughters: Julie (Steve Hayden) Martin, M.D., of Baton Rouge, LA, and Elizabeth (Andrew) Bjerke, Ph.D., of Grand Forks, ND; five grandchildren: Lily, Alexander and Owen Hayden, and Logan and Madeline Bjerke; her siblings: Loretta (Dan) Miner, LaVerne Selkurt, Lynette (George) Zimmer and Lenny Selkurt; and nieces: Gwendolyn Nguyen and Cassaundra and Chloe Selkurt.
In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Brad Martin, M.D.; a brother, Richard Selkurt; and parents-in-law, Wayne and Iva Martin.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Pastor Rob Buhl officiated. Friends could call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Whitehall Public Library or Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Joanne’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the amazing staff of the Classic and nurses of St. Croix Hospice. We are truly grateful for the exceptional care Mom received from them.
Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.
