Joseph B. Ebbesen

1925 - 2014

Joseph B. Ebbesen

Born: Jan. 12, 1925; in DeKalb

Died: Sept. 7, 2014; in DeKalb

Joseph Bernard Ebbesen, OD, 89, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away late Sunday evening, September 7, 2014, at home surrounded by loved ones.

Born January 12, 1925, in DeKalb, the son of Maynard E. and Kathryn L. (Concidine) Ebbesen, Joe and his siblings were raised in DeKalb by his dad, a police officer and steelworker. Attending public schools, Joe grew up in the 3rd Ward, on 13th Street, and graduated from Ellwood Elementary School in 1939. Active in sports even then, Joe played on a number of softball teams around town.

President of his junior class in high school, Joe was a stellar student, as well as an outstanding athlete. He lettered in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the undefeated 1941 football team, as its center and linebacker. Joe graduated from DeKalb Township High School in 1943.

Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at age 18, Joe landed at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine, California. There, he finished No. 1 in his class at the Marine Corps' Quartermaster School. He was also a member of its basketball team. Joe would speak fondly of meeting his brother, Jim (El Centro Marine Corps Air Station) and his dad (Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, Ventura County) periodically during the war. He was proud to serve his country in World War II, and considered this a great honor.

Following his honorable discharge from the service, Joe attended Northern Illinois State Teachers College, now Northern Illinois University. After three years of undergraduate education there, he went straight into the Northern Illinois College of Optometry, now ICO, receiving his Doctor of Optometry in 1951.

On April 29, 1951, Joe married the love of his life, Janice Rae Sanderson, daughter of Evelyn and Elmer. Janice and Joe were a team. They enjoyed life and their many friendships, and had countless adventures together. Janice and Joe raised two children and were married 63 years.

Dr. Ebbesen initially practiced optometry with Dr. Judd Storey. In 1959, they merged their practice with Dr. Don Frantz and Dr. Paul Randolph, forming DeKalb Optometric, the largest eye-care practice in DeKalb County.

Dr. Ebbesen's interest and participation in community and political affairs began in the 1950s, and spanned more than 30 years. He served six years on local boards of education; was a DeKalb city councilman from 1961-65; and served as mayor of DeKalb from 1965-69. Dr. Ebbesen was also vice president of the Illinois Municipal League and president of the Northern Illinois Mayors Association.

Joe joined Kishwaukee Country Club in 1950 and was a member for almost 65 years. He served as a board member, was president in 1962 and instrumental in adding the back nine holes and an outdoor swimming pool for club members. Joe enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow members, and loved being out on the course. As recently as 2010, Joe tied for third place in KCC's Opening Day Scramble, and was tickled with his winnings of $38.33!

In 1972, Dr. Ebbesen was elected to the Illinois General Assembly and served six consecutive terms (1972-1984) in the Illinois House of Representatives. His major legislative interest included pension reform, higher education, fiscal responsibility, and public health issues. In 1977, the Illinois Political Action Committee and the Illinois Conservative Union gave Ebbesen their highest rating for a state legislator. As a state legislator, Dr. Ebbesen was instrumental in landing NIU's law school and, over the years, attempted to establish a separate governing board for NIU. He served five years on the Illinois State Board of Regents for Higher Education.

In 1979, the Northern Illinois University F.R. Geigle Service Award was presented to Joseph B. Ebbesen for demonstrating outstanding service and commitment to the best interests of NIU.

Ebbesen was also a member of numerous business, professional, social and fraternal organizations, including Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry, American and Illinois Optometric Association, and the Northern Illinois Optometric Society. He was initiated in 1950 into DeKalb Elks Lodge 765, where he was a proud member for more than 64 years. At age 70, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Elks. Joe was fondly described as a great guy, a salt of the earth, and a rock-ribbed conservative of the old school.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; children, Jay (Karen) Ebbesen, OD, and Jane Ebbesen, both of DeKalb; grandchildren, Katie Ebbesen of Chicago, Pierce Ebbesen of Lone Tree, Colorado, and Jackson Ebbesen of Austin, Texas; brother, James (Lorie) Ebbesen of DeKalb; sisters, Alyce (Chuck) Cook of Morrison and Faith (Don) Cook of DeKalb; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant sisters, Mary Louise and Rose Marie; brother, Perry Ebbesen; father, Maynard; mother, Kathryn; stepmother, Elsie Bass; and brother-in-law, Dr. Roger S. Sanderson of Dana Point, California.

Memorial visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 13, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb. Private family graveside service will be at a later time at Fairview Park Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Joseph B. Ebbesen Memorial Fund, sent to the Ebbesen Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.