Joanne Warner, buyer
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 22, 2005
New Berlin, Wis. — Joanne Warner, a longtime case goods buyer for retailer Steinhafels here and recalled by many in the industry for her professionalism and kindness, has died after a short battle with breast cancer. She was 54.
Warner went to work for the Top 100 store 27 years ago as a receptionist. She was soon promoted to assistant to case goods buyer Bill Steinhafel, and became the case goods buyer in 1987 when he retired.
She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the April High Point market.
"Joanne was a unique buyer in that she had the respect of everybody that she interacted with," said Gary Steinhafel, president of the five-store Wisconsin chain. "She was always professional and always treated everybody with respect. I've heard not one, but 50 friends say that Joanne did not have a bad bone in her body, which was so true. She was a very warm person and she was a really good friend of mine."
Bill Carpenter, vice president of key accounts and merchandising for resource Collezione Europa, called Warner "the princess of the industry" and praised her honesty, integrity and warmth. Carpenter not only worked with Warner, but spent vacations with her and their respective spouses. "The industry lost a great one," he said.
Robin Milliman, a sales representative for importer Magnussen Home in Illinois and Wisconsin and another longtime friend, said Warner was "at the top of her game." Milliman recalled an "inner kindness" about Warner that was always present and in control, even when she was upset about something.
"The position she was in and the way she did business made you want to rise to new levels," Milliman said. "You didn't want to disappoint her. She had such high expectations for herself that she raised the bar for everybody."
Warner is survived by her husband, Jim Warner, distribution manager for Steinhafels, and two children. Visitation is Aug. 8 from 4–7 p.m. at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 Bluemound Road in Waukesha, Wis. The funeral will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
