Obituary of Joan Christensen

Christensen, Joan M. Age 81, of Morris, IL, passed away peacefully, Sunday April 29, 2012 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home with family at her side. She was born July 13, 1930 in Chicago, IL to the late Eleanor (Lepsch) and Walter Carpenter and was raised and educated in DeKalb, IL, having attended St. Mary's Grade School, DeKalb High School and Northern Illinois University. Joan is survived by her loving family, her beloved friend and partner of 37 years, Jerry Johnson of Lake Holiday; dear son, Gregory (Jo) Christensen of Morris; loving grandsons, Kevin (fiancée Sarah) and Keith Christensen; cherished great-granddaughter, Hailey (the apple of her eye); fond siblings, Jack (Dottie) Carpenter of DeKalb and Carol Robinson of Morris, her devoted nieces and nephews Gerig (Stephanie) Robinson, Kirsten ( David) Cunningham, Mark Carpenter, Chris (Jenna) Carpenter, Mike ( Kristen) Carpenter, Molly (Todd) Green and her many great nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents; one sister-in-law Mary Ellen Carpenter and a brother-in-law Parker Robinson. Joan, a community minded businesswoman, was the owner of Service Gas Inc. from 1984 to the present. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish and the Council of Catholic Women (President 1969-70), Morris Chamber of Commerce, and the Morris Country Club. In addition, she was also a former president of the Morris Junior Womens club, advisory board member of First Midwest Bank, member of the first Foundation Board of Morris Hospital and recently named honorary member; co-chairman of the annual Golf, Bridge and Euchre classic for 7 years, as well as fund raising chairman for the hospital auxiliary for 6 years and co-chair of the annual Hospital Ball for 12 years. Joan loved the arts, she operated "Toe N Tap" for many years, teaching over 100 couples ball room dancing as well as forming the "Enerjets" a senior dance group that performed at area clubs and nursing homes. She was also a charter member of the Morris Theatre Guild, where she participated behind the scenes and on stage. She received an award for best actress for her roles in "On Golden Pond" and "Impossible Years". Along with her passion for dancing, other interests included playing bridge, euchre, swimming, Mahjongg and winters spent in Marco Island, FL. She will fondly be remembered as an energetic, outgoing person who loved life and was an organized planner and an excellent hostess and homemaker. Funeral services for Joan Christensen will be held Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Church, 516 E. Jackson St., Morris where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Morris, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Community Foundation of Grundy County or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. Visitation Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 1201 W. Rt. 6 at Deerpath Drive, Morris For information (815) 942-5040