Joe P. Sanks, 91
Joe P. Sanks, of Manitowish Waters, formerly of Stevens Point and Janesville, died April 10, 2025, at Nazareth House Health and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton. He was 91.
Joe was born July 2, 1933, in Stevens Point, a son of the late Joseph William “Mike” and Marguerite (née Saunders) Sanks. He attended local schools and developed a love of sports at an early age. He graduated in 1952 from P.J. Jacobs High School, now known as Stevens Point Area Senior High.
His high school sports career earned him a spot in the Stevens Point Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He lettered in four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball. His football accolades include team captain, first-team All-Wisconsin Valley Conference, captain of the all-conference team, first-team all-state, and a member of the National High School All-American Football Team.
In basketball, he was named team MVP, earned first-team All-Wisconsin Valley honors, and was selected to the second-team all-tournament team at state. He led in field goal and free throw shooting, assists, and scoring. In track, he competed in the 880-yard run and placed third at the state meet in Madison. On the baseball team, he played first base and batted .333.
Joe attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he lettered in football and basketball his freshman year. He started as a defensive back on a 7-1 football team and set a single-game scoring record of 31 points in basketball. His collegiate sports career ended when he was drafted into the U.S. military in September 1953.
He married Leanne M. Parmeter in September 1956. The couple shared 64 years of marriage before her death in 2020. They had three children: Joe, Lisa and Sherry.
Joe began working for American Family Insurance in 1957 and was promoted to sales management in 1959. Over a 40-year career, he earned multiple honors, including the Life Diamond Club, All American Club, and Championship Club. He was inducted into the company’s Sales Management Hall of Fame, retiring in 1997 with the company’s largest sales district.
A lifelong Wisconsin sports fan, Joe enjoyed golf, fishing trips to Canada, and hunting trips in northern Wisconsin.
Survivors include his children, Joe L. Sanks of Janesville, Lisa M. (Mark) Schueler of New Berlin, and Sherry (Gary) Nyborg of Fort Wayne, Indiana; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and his siblings, William Sanks, Virginia (Bill) Habeck, Donna Litzow, and Jack Sanks.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church, 13883 Marathon Road. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow later that day at Restlawn Memorial Park in Grand Rapids.
Online condolences may be offered at www.shudafuneral.com.