JoAnn Gebke

JoAnn was born on October 20th, 1944 and passed away on
April 4th, 2025 at the age of 80JoAnn L. Gebke, age 80 of Bartelso, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Friday, April 4, 2025.
JoAnn was born in Germantown, IL on October 20, 1944, a daughter of the late George and Anna (Sprehe) Diesen. She married Gene Gebke at St. Boniface Church in Germantown on November 6, 1965, and he survives in Bartelso.
In addition to her husband Gene, Mrs. Gebke is also survived by her children – Ryan Gebke of Bartelso and Danielle Schlarman (Robert Higgins) of Carlyle; her beloved grandchildren, Shane Schlarman, Katelyn Schlarman, Wyatt Schlarman, and Carson Higgins; a sister, Helen Wuebbles of New Baden; her in-laws, Sue Diesen of Jacksonville, FL, Jane Diesen of Germantown, Betty Diesen of Germantown, Jean Diesen of Germantown, Regene Heckenkemper of Albers, Georgiaenn "Dolly" Gebke of Bartelso, and Ruth "Boots" Gebke of Bartelso; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Diesen; her siblings, Dolores and Harold "Butch" Lohman, Elmer "Drake" and Jenny Diesen, Bob Diesen, Walter "Skip" Diesen, Ervin Diesen, LeRoy Diesen, and Edna Diesen in infancy; and her in-laws, Eugene Wuebbles, Teresa and Bob Jansen, Anthony Gebke Jr., Edwin "Butch" Gebke, Tom Gebke, Robert Gebke, Germaine "Whitey" Gebke, and Virgil Heckenkemper.
JoAnn owned and operated "JoAnn's Drapes" for several years. Her creative touch and passion for decorating brought joy and beauty to countless homes throughout the community. She was a devoted member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, where she was active in the Ladies Sodality. An avid gardener, JoAnn found joy tending to her flowers and yard. She also enjoyed an active lifestyle-bowling in leagues across the county and, in her younger years, playing on local softball teams.
Alongside her loving husband Gene, JoAnn opened her heart and home as a foster parent, raising children as her own and creating a home filled with warmth, care, and laughter. JoAnn always put her family's needs before her own, and her grandchildren held a particularly special place in her heart. They were her entire world, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Cecilia Church in Bartelso with Fr. Thomas Lugge, celebrant. Inurnment will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Cecilia Church on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of JoAnn are suggested to St. Cecilia Church or in the form of Masses. Donations will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton St. Carlyle, IL 62231.