Joanne J. Haag

Born: Nov. 11, 1929; in Chicago

Died: Nov. 28, 2007; in McHenry

She was a resident and active member of the community of Johnsburg for more than 54 years



JOHNSBURG - Joanne J. Haag, 78, a longtime resident of Johnsburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at her home in McHenry.

She was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Chicago, to Aloysius and Mary (McWilliams) Adams. On Sept. 10, 1949, she married William J. Haag at St. Benedict Church in Chicago.

She was a resident and active member of the community of Johnsburg for more than 54 years and recently moved to the McHenry Retirement Community. During her lifetime, she was a member and past president of the Home-School Association at St. John the Baptist School, founder of the St. John's Athletic Association and the Johnsburg High School Athletic Boosters, and served as a den leader. She worked with other parents to start the hot-lunch program at St. John's School.

She was an avid knitter, teaching her knitting skills to students at the junior and senior high school. She also enjoyed quilting, and her family very much enjoyed her delicious apple pies. Winter months often were spent with her husband in Siesta Key, Fla., and summers were spent in St. Germain, Wis.

She often remarked that her greatest accomplishment was marrying her husband, Bill, and her second greatest accomplishment was her children. She very much loved to spend time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Mary Jo Lemke of Johnsburg, Kathleen (William Jr.) Betke of Johnsburg, Robert (Sheri) Haag of Johnsburg, Patti (Mark) Fluger of Twin Lakes, Wis., and Michael (Missy) Haag of Rockford; 13 grandchildren, Sara Lemke, David Lemke, Bill Lemke, Jody (Lee) Masterson, Jason Betke, Joanne Betke, Bill Betke III, Kevin Betke, Heather Haag, Brian Haag, Katie Fluger, Rebecca Fluger and Jonny Fluger; a great-grandchild, Caycee; her sisters-in-law, Claire (the late John) Hofbauer and Doris (the late Leonard) Haag; and her cousins, Lyle McWilliams and Gene Nuziard.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, on March 2, 2006; a son, William Haag Jr.; her sisters-in-law, Emily (Edward) Connelly, Catherine (Walter) Fleischmann and Barbara (Ernest) Zorn; and her brothers-in-law, Alex (Peg) Haag, Alphonse (Frances) Haag, Peter (Lorraine) Haag and Francis "Varney" (Laura) Haag.

The visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at George R. Justen & Son Funeral Home, 3519 W. Elm St., McHenry. The visitation will continue from 8:30 a.m. until prayers are said at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at the funeral home. That will be followed by the procession to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg for celebration of the 10 a.m. funeral Mass.

Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, the family suggests memorials to Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.justenfh .com.

For information, call the funeral home at 847-546-3300.

Sign the guest book at www. NWHerald.com/obits