Joan Althoff

1930 - 2015

After a remarkable life, Joan Andreen Althoff died peacefully on Monday, November 30 and reunited with her beloved husband, Jim. Joan was born August 28, 1930 in Moline, Illinois to Joseph and Hazel Kline, and moved to Wonder Lake, Illinois to live with her aunt and uncle, Harold and Vera Wohnrade, and to attend McHenry High School. She married James Althoff in St. Mary's Church in McHenry in 1949. She is survived by her children, Betsy (Tom) Les of Crystal Lake, Tod (Kim) Althoff of Oakbrook, Katy Althoff (Joel Galanty) of Barrington, Patti (John) Siwicki of Elk Grove, Jim Althoff Jr. of McHenry, and Karyn (David) Roelke of Hartland, WI., Grandchildren Peter Althoff of Palm Beach, FL, Sarah Dunker of Lake in the Hills, James Althoff of Algonquin, Abby Wiley of Lake in the Hills, Megan Althoff of Chicago, Scott and Becca Siwicki of Elk Grove, Jeff and Lauren Galanty of Barrington, Evan Althoff of Crystal Lake, and Will, Morgan and Rachel Roelke of Hartland, WI. Also survived by great grandchildren Kara, Parker, Kailey and Kinsley and devoted caregiver Tasha Lazebnaya. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, and son, Tim. Joan was an exceptional wife, mother and grandmother, who loved nothing more than to be surrounded by her family. Her weekly Sunday brunches were legendary, as were her Christmas Eve celebrations, her homemade cookies, her tiny handwriting and her ability to lose gracefully at bridge. She rarely missed a Cubs game, especially when Pat Hughes and Ron Santo were broadcasting them on the radio. She devoted years of her life to volunteer work, leading Girl Scouts and assisting patients in the day surgery department at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. She was kind, graceful and thoughtful, and she will be missed by all who were privileged to know her. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, December 3 at the Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Drive, McHenry, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Apostles Church, McHenry. in lieu of flowers, donations to the Home of the Sparrow (www.hosparrow.org) or the charity of your choice are appreciated.