Obit: Potaczek, Joan J. (1921 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Potaczek, Kawka, Snyder

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 2/03/2016

Potaczek, Joan J. (5 March 1921 - 8 January 2016)

Joan J. Potaczek passed away at the age of 94, on January 8, 2016, at Manor Care, Palos Heights, IL. Born at home on March 5, 1921, to the late Teofila and Frank Kawka, second youngest of six children; loving wife of Steve J. Potaczek; mother of five children: Adeline, deceased, Steve Potaczek, Jr., Eugene Potaczek, Judy Potaczek, and Jean Snyder; grandmother of seven, great-grandmother of ten and great-great-grandmother of one.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, an infant daugher, and her loving husband, Steve J. Potaczek.

Joan was a life-long resident of Central Stickney, having lived her entire life in the same city block. She was a lifetime member of St. Camilus Parish, having been baptized in the original Mission Church. She grew up in the rural environment of Garfield Ridge, and picked strawberries at a farm now in Midway Airport. She worked at Great Lakes Springs Western Electric and in a World War II Studebaker defense plant.

Joan was a homemaker, who loved spending time with family and grandchildren. She enjoyed her flowers, long rides in the country; bicycle rides in the evening, Saturday night stock car racing at Sante Fe Speedway, and was an avid polka music fan. She loved her Fannie May chocolates.

Services were held Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Richard Midway Funeral Home, Chicago, IL. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Camilus Church, Chicago, IL, at 10:30 a.m. and interment was at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL