Joanna Ruth
Love
Joanna Ruth Love
- Memorial Visitation- Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 2:30pm – 4:30pm
- Grace Presbyterian Church (2931 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53207)
- Celebration of Life- Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 4:30pm
- Grace Presbyterian Church (2931 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53207)
Joanna Ruth Love died of complications from metastatic breast cancer on March 10, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wis.
In her 41 years, Joanna lived a very big life. She wore and earned many titles: daughter, sister, wife, and mama; friend, champion, and advocate; poet, musician, songwriter, and artist; traveler and polyglot; student, scholar, bachelor, master, doctor of philosophy, and professor; counselor and psychologist; worship leader and preacher; steadfast seeker of Jesus, friend of the Holy Spirit, and worshipper of the living God.
Joanna was born on March 4, 1984 in Appleton, Wis., to Martin Alan Love and Cynthia Louise (Hansen) Love. In youth, Joanna cultivated lasting loves of music, foreign languages, and deep friendships. She graduated from Appleton North High School in 2002 before studying psychology at Luther College and sometimes abroad. She went on to attend Marquette University, where she eventually achieved her lifelong goal of earning a Ph.D. and the title “Dr. Love.” Her studies concluded with a challenging but important year of fieldwork (and even more deep friendships) in Los Angeles.
During a college summer, Joanna fell in love with her husband, Isral DeBruin, while the two were working together as camp counselors. After a years-long courtship that sometimes spanned international borders, they were finally married September 28, 2008 and eventually settled in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. The couple was delighted to welcome a daughter, Guinevere Magdalene Love DeBruin, on September 8, 2020. Joanna cherished her role as mother and looked forward to each childhood age and stage.
Joanna loved her life in Milwaukee, becoming involved with multiple church communities and nonprofits as she and Isral restored an old home. In recent years, Joanna fulfilled another longtime dream when she joined the Farwell Kings, a rock band in which she sang and played keyboards and accordion. Joanna greatly enjoyed all forms of performance, and her good humor, sharp wit, and enduring playfulness showed up everywhere: living rooms, open mic nights, improv comedy performances, and church pulpits.
Joanna had a brilliant mind and a huge heart, both of which she dedicated to the care of others. On nearly any day, she could be found helping people achieve healing – whether through her professional practice as a psychologist, her support as a loving friend and family member, or her involvement in church prayer ministry.
Those who encountered Joanna would almost surely hear her say, “There’s always hope for healing.” Those words, and the ideas and beliefs underneath them, were a prophetic drumbeat coursing through her life. They now reverberate through the lives of all those she leaves behind.
Joanna is survived by her husband Isral Joseph DeBruin; daughter Guinevere Magdalene Love DeBruin; siblings Abigail (Ronald), Daniel (Heidi), David (Erin), Lydia (Micah), and Hannah; and parents Martin and Cynthia.
Friends and family will gather for a funeral service and celebration of Joanna’s life Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2931 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53207, with Pastor Rebecca Anderson presiding. A public visitation will be held starting at 2:30 p.m., and the service will begin at 4:30 p.m., with reception to follow. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to two of Joanna’s favorite nonprofits: Pathfinders (https://www.pathfindersmke.org/) and Exploit No more (https://www.exploitnomore.org/).
An education fund for Joanna’s daughter, Guinevere, can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/injoannasmemory.
Heritage Funeral Homes of Milwaukee is handling arrangements. Note: This obituary is the property of Heritage Funeral Homes. If you are viewing it on any website other than our official site, please be aware it has been reproduced without permission and may not reflect the most accurate or complete information.
What a beautiful tribute to Joanna’s beautiful life! I can’t imagine your pain over her loss! I know she leaves a lot behind. May God truly comfort you all as your grieve and may you feel His presence surrounding you. I remember Joanna from camp and her energy, excitement, and lively expressions filled every room she entered. She was always smiling and full of joy and life! She was expressive in all things and could tell a great and animated story! My heart is sad for you. I’m praying for you and love you all.
Jenna
When I first started seeing Dr. Love, I was a mess, struggling in both my personal and professional life. She sat with me, listening as I stumbled through my thoughts, trying to understand my actions, feelings, and pain. She never rushed me, never filled the silence unnecessarily. Instead, she created a space that was gentle, patient, and full of care .
She was rarely explicit in her life. I knew almost nothing about her outside of our sessions except the television shows we both watched. Once, in an attempt to learn something small, I asked about her favorite color. She said, “I love all colors.” That wasn’t enough for me. I pressed further: “Okay, but what’s your favorite color today?” She smiled and said, “Purple.” That moment has stayed with me.
I often used humor to mask my pain, cracking jokes even in my hardest moments. She would giggle, sometimes even call me funny. Knowing now that she did improv comedy, those words mean even more to me. She saw me, not just my struggle, but my light.
This week, I reached my one-year anniversary of sobriety. A year ago, I was just beginning to make changes, unsure of my own strength. Dr. Love supported me every step of the way. We finally started to get to the root of what ailed me, and she helped me understand what true coping looks like, what self-love feels like, and what it means to care for myself. There were setbacks and dark days when my mind worked against me. But even in those moments, my commitment to sober living never wavered because she helped me see that I was capable. She reminded me, again and again, that I had the power to stand back up.
In our last session together, we celebrated that milestone. We were supposed to celebrate more, to set new goals, to keep moving forward. If I were to set a goal now, it would be this: to continue living in honor of her and the wisdom she so freely gave.
Whenever I felt lost, she would say, “You just have to stand up and do something.”
So today, I will stand up. I will keep going. I will live my life fully and with (Dr.) Love.
To her family, friends, and those who knew her in a deeper, more intentional way, I send my deepest condolences. While I only knew her in the capacity of a therapist, I can only imagine the profound impact she had on those she loved personally. Her warmth, kindness, and wisdom touched so many lives, and I hope you find comfort in knowing how much she meant to those of us she guided. May her memory continue to bring light, just as she did in life.
My condolences to you and your family. I didn’t know you personally, but our children attends the same school. Many prayers and love ❤️.
My condolences to you and your family. I didn’t know you personally, but our children attends the same school. Many prayers and love ❤️
Joanna and Isral have been faithful supporters of Exploit No More for many years. What a remarkable woman Joanna was and what an incredible life of service she led! We send our most sincere condolences to all who loved her. We also wish to share our deep gratitude for the memorials people have entrusted in us. We will continue to be a champion for women, just like Joanna was.