Joan M. Jansz

Joan M. Jansz, 91, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024, at Bickford of Rockford.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 19th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford.  Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 20th at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive, Rockford, with visitation one hour at the church prior to Mass.

Joan was born April 18, 1933, in Aurora, Illinois to Frank and Evelyn (Krantz) Poss. She was a member of Annunciation Church and attended Madonna High School in Aurora. After graduation, she worked at Thor Power Tool.  

She met the love of her life, Charles Jansz, and they were married on August 19, 1961.  They bought a home in Freeport, Illinois, where they raised their four children.  Joan was a stay-at-home mom for years before rejoining the work force as a policy typist at Economy Fire and Casualty.  She retired after 11 years so she could spend time traveling with her beloved Charlie and their friends. 

Joan was happiest when she was spending time with her family. She enjoyed their annual summer trips to Escanaba, Michigan, spending time on bleachers at her children’s basketball or volleyball events, and watching Cubs games together on TV.   Later in life, she treasured spending time with her grandchildren and listening to their stories. In all instances, her devotion to her family was evident by her loving and caring nature.

Joan had a deep love for the Lord and a strong Catholic faith, which she instilled in her children.  She was a gentle soul with a twinkle in her blue eyes, who never complained.  If you met her one time, you would walk away remembering her smile, which was warm and loving.

Joan is survived by her son Michael (Michelle) Jansz; daughters Cheryl (Michael) Tooze and Lori (Robert) Benvenuto; her 10 grandchildren, Chelsea, Clarisse, Zachary, Catherine, Broderick, Sebastian, Evelyn, Charlie, Elizabeth, Caroline; two great-grandchildren, Gryffin and Finley; and her siblings, Patricia Poss and Richard (Cynthia) Poss.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, after 42 years of marriage; her son, Mark; a twin sister, Joanne; her sister, Alice, and her parents.

Memorials can be made to Northern Illinois Hospice, 4751 Harrison Ave., Rockford, IL 61108 or St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, IL 61109.

The Prayer of St. Francis was Joan’s favorite and her life exemplified these words:

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
 to be understood as to understand;
 to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
 it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
 and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”