Obituary of Joanne Bleuer

Joanne Marie Bleuer (nee Kijowski) Left this world peacefully to join our Lord in Heaven on Christmas Day 2013 at the age of 91. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. This is her story as told by Joanne… I was brought into this world by the love of my parents Michael and Angela Kijowski on August 4, 1922, in Joliet. I was their seventh of nine children. We didn't have a lot of material things however we were blessed with a family that shared a lot of love. There are only two of my siblings still alive: Cele Popek and Leo Kijowski, and a Sister-In-Law, Donna Kijowski, all from Lockport. My other siblings were Frank Kijowski, Mary Berg, Sofie Wall, Walter Kijowski, Helen Finefield and Mike Kijowski. My first job was when I was a Secretary for Globe Oil Co. I later graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Joliet. I started my career as a Registered Nurse working on the floor, in the Emergency Room, and then became the Supervisor of the IV Team. I later became the Director of Nurses at the Imperial Nursing Home in Joliet. I met my husband Ralph Bleuer Jr. at a dance in Joliet while I was in Nurses training. We were married on November 1, 1947 and started our life in Lockport. We were blessed with four children during our 53 years of marriage, Bob (Pat Lewis) of Channahon, Marcia (Rick) Brummel of Plano, Marlene (Marty) Monahan of Kimberly City, MO, and Ron (Patti Johnson) of Minooka. In 1964 our dream of owning a small farm and living in the country became a reality when we moved our family to "Winding Creek Farm" outside of Minooka. Ralph and I enjoyed spending time gardening, painting, dancing and fishing at our cottages in Wisconsin and then later in Missouri. Ralph developed heart problems shortly after we both retired and I took care of him in our home till his death in 2001. I have been blessed with fourteen grandchildren that I love with all my heart, Nicole (Tom) Lewis, Jeff (Tricia Church) Bleuer, Ryan (Jenna Giacomi) Bleuer, Kim (Chris) Heitz, Jason (Justine Sleezer) Brummel, Jackie (Zach) Winter, Mike Brummel, Keegan (Gregan Ketcham) Monahan, Logan (Natalie Duffey) Monahan, Kyle Monahan, Stephanie (Anthony) West, Peggy Bleuer, Cody (Stefanie Antonelli) Bleuer and Nick (Caylie Shroyer) Bleuer. My great-grandchildren always could bring a smile to my face, Aubrie and Gabrielle Lewis, Kipton and Zadie Bleuer, Aria Sansone, Kayla, Kendall, and Caden Heitz, Kellen, Brayden and Lexi Brummel, Ellie and Fin Winter, Locklyn Monahan, Wyatt and Levi West, Max Bleuer, Kurt Brassard, Blake Bleuer and Tegan Bleuer; Owen Bleuer died at the age of three in 2008. I would like to thank my family and Gentiva Hospice for taking such good care of me over the past two and half years. God has blessed me with a long, happy, and healthy life. I will miss you, but know that I will always be close to you in your hearts. Funeral Services for Joanne Marie Bleuer will be Monday, December 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. St. Mary Catholic Church, 303 West St. Mary Street, Minooka, IL 60447. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation Sunday 3-6 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet. For information: 815-741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com