Joann Junkins Lins,85,of Huntley, IL died peacefully March 2, 2022 with her family and kitties by her side.
Joann, as typical, thought ahead and wrote her own obituary! Luckily for all of us it was 20 years premature! Therefore, what follows are her words with our updates.
“When this you see, remember me and bear me in mind.”
“Come fly with us” the angels called and so she did. Joann spread her wings and soared high above the clouds and into Heaven. She left all who knew her with an undying memory of a remarkable woman whose love had no boundaries.
Joann was a player in the game of life from the day she was born on August, 14,1936 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to parents Lawrence and Helen Vander Linden. She attended Bondurant school until her family moved onto a farm near Osky where she attended Lacey schools. She excelled as a forward on the school’s basketball team and graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1954. In 1955, she married Larry Junkins, the Salutatorian of the same class! The couple lived in Iowa City where she worked as a secretary while Larry attended college. The couple would also spend a year in Hornell, NY and Houston, Tx and added a son, Dennis and a daughter, Debra before settling in Madison, WI.
Joann worked as a real estate secretary for many years and used this experience to invest in several properties. Next, she became the Executive Secretary of the AADGP ( a national group of dentists). In this job she began fulfilling her desire to travel – at least within the USA. She was also able to start living ½ year in Madison and ½ year in Austin, TX ( her first trip made, by herself, after packing her beloved El Camino and a U Haul, not knowing a single person!). She married Cletus Lins in October 1989. The couple moved to Austin year-round and Joann began her job at TX DOT which she retired from in August 2001. Cletus introduced her to the Moose Lodge which she thoroughly enjoyed. She joined the Women of the Moose and worked her way through the Chairs/Academy of Friendship (1991)/Senior Regent (1993) and joined the College of Regents (1996). During this time, she made many Thanksgiving trips to Colorado to spend time with Dennis, Kathy and the grandkids.
After Cletus’s passing, Joann and her kitty, Cutie, moved into a townhome with her daughter and grand kitties in Huntley. She enjoyed all things social: Red Hats, bunco, bingo, water aerobics and the library. She and Debra went to any and all theater and music events in the area.
In the later years of her life, Joann developed dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. This affliction made her life more of a challenge; however she never lost her smile or jovial personality. She was able to stay at home and continue to enjoy her life thanks to her wonderful caregivers: Judy, Marlina, Yvette and Christina from Transitions Hospice.
Joann loved any and all babies and her two grandchildren. She loved spending time with friends and relatives, meeting new people, dancing and playing games. She enjoyed adventure and went skydiving at 70! She loved to read and sports of all sorts! And – she LOVED to travel! She went on many adventures by herself or with her daughter. She continued to travel after her diagnosis and set foot on all 7 continents!!
Joann will be deeply missed but she will live on in the memories and love of her family and friends. Left to Celebrate her Life are her son, Dennis (Kathy), daughter Dr. Deb, grandchildren Jillian and Eric, her 2 brothers Gary (Mary) and Robert (Barb). She also leaves multiple step children/ step grandchildren and honorary grandchildren/great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Leo and his wife Phyllis, Cletus and Larry.
Joann requested cremation with no formal funeral services and no flowers on her behalf. Donations in her memory may be made to:
1. Mooseheart Charities, Mooseheart IL
2. Animal Services & Assistance Programs, Marengo, IL
3. Any fund that will support Medicare benefits and the rights of nursing home residents.
4. Or, simply use these funds to get together and share a smile and a laugh in her memory.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday April 7, 2022 from 4 to 8pm, with a service at 7:30pm at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Rd, Huntley, IL. This will be a CASUAL event – please feel free to wear jeans, tennies and your favorite sports team apparel.
Burial will be at Noon, Saturday April 9,2022 at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa with an informal luncheon to follow.
Joann’s daughter would like to THANK all of her friends, co workers and especially Jean from Care Navigators, Amy (her bestie). and Rose, (Dr Deb’s together but separate person) who were kind, supportive and included her Momma in any and all activities – through this love - Joann was able to continue to live a wonderful life.
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What a beautiful obituary in tribute to your mother. I feel lucky to have met her when you were my neighbor on Elka Lane! Hugs to you Dr. Deb.♥️
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deb and family. My deepest sympathies. What a beautiful life lived. So happy for the memories you'll keep with you of her and her life. Love and warm hugs. Carol (Tomas) Zwickey
Dear niece and nephew, what a wonderful obituary. She definitely lived her life to the fullest! Love you both and my prayers are with you!
Deb, my wish for you is that this life transition is as joyful as possible and not too overwhelming as you prepare your Mom's celebration of life events. I just lost my Dad 6 weeks ago and I know how important the support of friends and family is, but I know you and your mom created a fantastic fellowship with others. Joann was such a wonderful person and I am blessed to have known her while we were in high school together. Love, hugs, and peace to you and all who knew your lovely mom, Dr Deb❤
Joann, or as I come to know her as Mom, was one of a kind. My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends. Heaven gains another amazing soul among them. Extra hugs and prayers to my friend Dr. Deb.
Dr. Deb, I was sorry to hear about your moms passing, but what a beautiful tribute! I am happy that she is flying free and enjoying her new life in heaven. Dementia/alzheimer’s is an awful disease, yet having gone through the experience with an Aunt can also be a blessing in that everyday is a new day for them and they live in the moment without worries, (that’s the hard part for the caregivers, (the worrying) but think of all those special times with your mom and know you were there to ground her thoughts and memories. Praying for peace and loving thoughts of your years with her.
So very sorry for your loss. I know it is hard as it will be a year June1st that I lost my Mom. She will help the Cubs win from heaven.
Deb so happy you had time together!