Joan Flanders

NAME H. Joan Flanders,age 87, of Kaneville, passed away in her home, surrounded by the love of her family on Friday, October 24, 2008. She is now free to dance though the days with her husband Russell who passed away in March. BORN: She was born November 30, 1920 the daughter of Florus and Jessie (Anderson) Nagel in Armington, IL. EARLY YEARS :Joan grew up in Armington and attended local schools. She graduated at the age of sixteen from Armington High School in 1936. EDUCATION: Joan won a scholarship to attend the University of Illinois where she majored in Home Economics and eventually taught at Kaneville High School. MARRIAGE Joan found the love of her life when she met Russell Flanders. She stole his heart and they were united in marriage on Christmas Eve, 1943, in the Wesley Methodist Church in Aurora. They began their new life together back on the Flander’s family farm. Joan continued to teach until 1945 when the first of five children were on the way. Later in life she obtained a Realtors License and worked for Eldon Hatch for time. MEMBERSHIPS She was a faithful member and held many positions, including twenty-five years as the Superintendent of Sunday School at Kaneville United Methodist Church. Joan was also a member of several committees in the community including Women’s Committee of the Kane County Farm Bureau, Teeple Barn Preservation Committee as well as the "Porkette’s", the women’s committee of the Pork Producers. LIFE NOTES She enjoyed traveling with her loving husband to Hawaii, which was her favorite, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lampur among other fantastic destinations. They also took family trips through out the United States, Canada and Mexico, making memories with every mile. When the kids were young she enjoyed taking them in the camper to various National Parks including Yellowstone and the Badlands, and even went across the border to Canada. Joan also took her husband, mother and four children under the age of ten to Disneyland in a station wagon…in the winter. SURVIVORS She now leaves five children:Russetta (William) Rauch of Naperville, IL,Ruth Ann (John) Michelsen of Aurora, IL,Janet (Dennis) Smith of Chicago, IL,Jean (Stewart) Holmes of Oakland, NJ, and Tom (Carol) Flanders of Kaneville, IL.14 Grandchildren:Matt Rauch of Naperville, Michelle (Anand Behera) Rauch of Rosemont, ILDouglass Rauch of Willmington, ILNancy (Paul) Rivas of Aurora, ILRebecca (Richard) Michelsen-Holcombe of Bowling Green, VA, Edward Russell (Debra) Smith of Glendale Heights, IL,Thomas (Ayanna) Smith of Thousand Oaks, CA, Dena Smith of Sydney, Australia, Dana Holmes of Burlington, VT, Russell Holmes of New York, NY, Nate Flanders of Kaneville, IL, Ben Flanders of Sycamore, IL, Russell Flanders of Kaneville, IL and Zach Flanders of Kaneville, IL;Six Great-Grandchildren:Danielle Rauch, Emily Rauch, Tobias Rivas, Zemaria Joy Rivas, Duncan Smith and Griffin Russell Smith, Two sisters:Donna Fay Leach of Sarasota, FL Gitana (Dean) Folkes of Sarasota, FL;One brother, Weldon (Bernita) Nagel of Rogers, AR;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends. PRECEDED She now joins her husband Russell and her parents who preceded her in death.

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2008 at Kaneville United Methodist Church. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30th. Rev. Jason Turner, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery

MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name to benefit the American Cancer Society, Kaneville United Methodist Church and the Kane County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund. Checks may be made to the "Joan Flanders Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conleycare.com.