Johann M. Dalsanto

Johann M. DalSanto joined her family in Heaven, on Tuesday December 28, 2021, at home surrounded by her loved ones. She was born May 5, 1931, in Rockford, the daughter of Sam and Connie, (Tabone) Colombo. She attended West High School, where she met her sweetheart, Frank DalSanto, and married him September 9, 1950, and together they had five children. Johann was a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandma and great- great-grandma. She and Frank beamed over the generations of their legacy.
Johann’s father, Sam Colombo, opened Connie’s Pizzeria named after Johann’s mother, Connie. She and Frank owned and operated Connie’s Pizzeria once Sam retired. Johann also volunteered as Pink Lady at Rockford Memorial Hospital for many years and then began working in admitting at the same hospital. She enjoyed camping, traveling, attending her many clubs such as The Red Hatters, St. Mary’s Group, and St. Bernadette Support group. Johann enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going to out to breakfast and then playing slots with her beloved friend, Katie Gregg. She also loved going to the casino with her boys. One of her biggest blessings, beside her loving family, was that Johann is a kidney recipient and had a donor kidney for 22 years, which is a medical miracle in itself. She is a true inspiration to those experiencing transplants. She loved to share her journey with anyone going through this and always was encouraging them.

She is survived by her loving children; Thomas (Kris) DalSanto, Mark DalSanto, and Mindy DalSanto; her daughter-in-law, Nora DalSanto; her brother, Joe Colombo, and her very dear aunt, Mary Bogdonus, and her dear cousin's Chuckie and Anita Valentine.
Predeceased by her parents, Sam and Connie; her loving husband Frank; her son, Frank DalSanto; her daughter, Debby Heanue; her son-in-law, Tom Heanue; her grandson, Tim DalSanto; and her sister, Adeline Sondgeroth.
Passionately known as Mama D to many. She instantly became a bonus Mom to many of her children’s friends and the Rockford Lightning Dance Team girls. The title she held the dearest was “Nani” to her loving, grandchildren; Jodi DalSanto, Shannon (Jamey) Funk, Johanna (Jose) Carmona, Allison (Justin) Keller, Andy DalSanto, Bradly DalSanto, Peter (Brittany) DalSanto, Becky (Brandon Morris) DalSanto, Amy (Alex) Nytko, Erin (Cavan) Spedding, Emily (Tyler) Williams, Kory Kallenbach, and Jory DalSanto.
Johann also has numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, whom she loved so much. She beamed when bragging about her and dad having so many generations to carry on the family traditions that they instilled in us.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jeff Stringer with Metro Medical, Susan Little, the Transplant coordinator at UW Madison Hospital, and Dr. John Dorsey and his medical team at Mercy Health System.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Av. Rockford. Entombment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 5:00P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Flowers are welcome, or a memorial may be made to the family for a memorial to be set up at a later date. The family would also like to invite all loved ones to celebrate Johann’s life at the Venation Club, 2180 Elmwood Road immediately following the services at the cemetery.