September
14,
1933
14,
1933
August
24,
2023
24,
2023
The family of Mary “Joan” Anderson is saddened to announce her death on August 24, 2023, while at her home in Somonauk. Joan was born on September 14, 1933, in Waterman, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Cecilia (Herrmann) Sauter. Joan married, her high school sweetheart, Ronald Gene Anderson on November 3, 1956, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk.
Joan spent her childhood on the family farm. She loved helping her mother in the kitchen cooking and baking. She attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. She attended Somonauk High School where she enjoyed home economics and cheerleading for the Bobcats and her future husband, Ron, who was playing basketball. After her graduation in 1952 Joan stayed in close contact with her classmates and attended yearly high school reunions. She worked at the Sandwich Bank while Ron served in Korea where she accrued some “dear old friends.” Later Joan also worked as a lunch lady in Somonauk School cooking and serving hot lunches to all the students.
Joan has spent her life serving others. She took great care of her husband, children and her home. Things she liked to do were very numerous including sewing, gardening, collecting recipes and cookbooks. She attended the school and athletic events of her husband, children and grandchildren for many years. She kept stats from the bleachers. Her family has many fond memories of vacations throughout the Midwest, especially in the blue van. Ron and Joan have been to all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. They’ve been to Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. They’ve taken multiple cruises, trips to the Caribbean, and have a special love for St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Joan liked to play candy crush and watch “The Voice.” Joan was known for taking lots of pictures. Everyone knew to come to attention when her iPad was open.
Joan was most at home serving in her community. It is there that she and Ron and her children started the Village Courtyard Restaurant. She found her niche baking from scratch desserts, most notably pie. When she was not in the kitchen, she was busy seating and visiting with customers. She took special interest in the staff and their families. Many customers became lifetime friends. Hard-working Joan helped run the Village Courtyard for 40 years.
Joan had a special love for the Sandwich Fair. Joan’s family boasted that she attended everyday of the Sandwich Fair since she was born as her dad ran a Pioneer Seed Corn tent and for 18 years she could be seen helping in the Village Courtyard food wagon dishing the jambalaya dishes and making lemon shake-ups.
Joan has been a lifelong member of St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk where she received her sacraments and attended daily and weekly mass. She prayed daily for her family and friends and was devoted to daily rosary. EWTN was her most watched TV station.
The Lord Jesus Christ, her Catholic faith, family and friends were her greatest gifts.. Joan will be missed by those who knew her.
Joan is survived by her five children: Margo (John) Gudmunson of Somonauk, Marla (Mike) Alstadt, Kirk (Sharon) Anderson of Yorkville, Kelly (Tami) Anderson of Norman, OK., Kyle (Melissa) Anderson of Somonauk; seventeen grandchildren, Nathan (Kim) Gudmunson, Marcy (Alan) Kinney, Megan Gudmunson, Mallory (Chris) Bland, Makenzie (Derick Romstedt) Gudmunson, Nick (Courtney) Gudmunson, Trenton (Meghan) Kessler, Jacob Alstadt, Marcus Alstadt, Jordan (Candace) Anderson, Trista Anderson, Preston Anderson, Mindy Anderson, Lindsay Anderson, Kylie Anderson, Kara Anderson Kennedy Anderson; and twenty three great-grandchildren with number 24 expected in December.
These are the names of Joan’s great grandchildren: McKenna and Drew Dayhoff, Benson and Cole Gudmunson, Malayna, Macey, and Nolan Kinney, Braden Hawkins, Miranda, Beau, and Mae Mestemaker, Maxine and Mason Bland, Vivian, Adeline and Austin Romstedt, Knute, Harlan, Henry, and Woodrow Gudmunson, Linden Kessler, Jocelyn and Natalie Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers (infant)Raymond Sauter and Donald Sauter.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk, IL with Father Kevin Butler officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Somonauk, IL.
If you would like to give a donation in Joan’s name please give to a local food pantry or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 320 S. Depot St. Somonauk, Illinois, 60552.
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 W Rt 34 ~ P.O. Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
815-498-2363
Joan spent her childhood on the family farm. She loved helping her mother in the kitchen cooking and baking. She attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. She attended Somonauk High School where she enjoyed home economics and cheerleading for the Bobcats and her future husband, Ron, who was playing basketball. After her graduation in 1952 Joan stayed in close contact with her classmates and attended yearly high school reunions. She worked at the Sandwich Bank while Ron served in Korea where she accrued some “dear old friends.” Later Joan also worked as a lunch lady in Somonauk School cooking and serving hot lunches to all the students.
Joan has spent her life serving others. She took great care of her husband, children and her home. Things she liked to do were very numerous including sewing, gardening, collecting recipes and cookbooks. She attended the school and athletic events of her husband, children and grandchildren for many years. She kept stats from the bleachers. Her family has many fond memories of vacations throughout the Midwest, especially in the blue van. Ron and Joan have been to all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. They’ve been to Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. They’ve taken multiple cruises, trips to the Caribbean, and have a special love for St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Joan liked to play candy crush and watch “The Voice.” Joan was known for taking lots of pictures. Everyone knew to come to attention when her iPad was open.
Joan was most at home serving in her community. It is there that she and Ron and her children started the Village Courtyard Restaurant. She found her niche baking from scratch desserts, most notably pie. When she was not in the kitchen, she was busy seating and visiting with customers. She took special interest in the staff and their families. Many customers became lifetime friends. Hard-working Joan helped run the Village Courtyard for 40 years.
Joan had a special love for the Sandwich Fair. Joan’s family boasted that she attended everyday of the Sandwich Fair since she was born as her dad ran a Pioneer Seed Corn tent and for 18 years she could be seen helping in the Village Courtyard food wagon dishing the jambalaya dishes and making lemon shake-ups.
Joan has been a lifelong member of St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk where she received her sacraments and attended daily and weekly mass. She prayed daily for her family and friends and was devoted to daily rosary. EWTN was her most watched TV station.
The Lord Jesus Christ, her Catholic faith, family and friends were her greatest gifts.. Joan will be missed by those who knew her.
Joan is survived by her five children: Margo (John) Gudmunson of Somonauk, Marla (Mike) Alstadt, Kirk (Sharon) Anderson of Yorkville, Kelly (Tami) Anderson of Norman, OK., Kyle (Melissa) Anderson of Somonauk; seventeen grandchildren, Nathan (Kim) Gudmunson, Marcy (Alan) Kinney, Megan Gudmunson, Mallory (Chris) Bland, Makenzie (Derick Romstedt) Gudmunson, Nick (Courtney) Gudmunson, Trenton (Meghan) Kessler, Jacob Alstadt, Marcus Alstadt, Jordan (Candace) Anderson, Trista Anderson, Preston Anderson, Mindy Anderson, Lindsay Anderson, Kylie Anderson, Kara Anderson Kennedy Anderson; and twenty three great-grandchildren with number 24 expected in December.
These are the names of Joan’s great grandchildren: McKenna and Drew Dayhoff, Benson and Cole Gudmunson, Malayna, Macey, and Nolan Kinney, Braden Hawkins, Miranda, Beau, and Mae Mestemaker, Maxine and Mason Bland, Vivian, Adeline and Austin Romstedt, Knute, Harlan, Henry, and Woodrow Gudmunson, Linden Kessler, Jocelyn and Natalie Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers (infant)Raymond Sauter and Donald Sauter.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk, IL with Father Kevin Butler officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Somonauk, IL.
If you would like to give a donation in Joan’s name please give to a local food pantry or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 320 S. Depot St. Somonauk, Illinois, 60552.
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 W Rt 34 ~ P.O. Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
815-498-2363
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