Joan A. Klein

Joan A. Klein, age 90, of Bourbonnais, departed this life on June 30, 2026, at The Arc at Kankakee, Kankakee, Illinois. She was born October 6, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Austin L. and Marjorie (Davis) Fritz. Joan grew up in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, at 85 th Street and Stoney Island Avenue. She attended Emil G. Hirsch High School, where she excelled in typing and stenography. Upon graduating, she took a position with United Airlines as an executive secretary. Joan married Arthur Brocksmith of Chesterton, Indiana, in 1954, and they settled in South Bend, Indiana, where they had two sons and resided until 1968, when the family moved to Kankakee. The South Bend years kept Joan busy as a housewife and devoted mother to her young children, chauffeuring them to swim lessons and Little League, shepherding them through an array of grade school projects, and serving as a Cub Scouts den mother to the neighborhood pack. She was also legend throughout the neighborhood for her annual tradition of opening the door, when trick-or-treaters rang on Halloween, in full Wicked Witch of the West regalia, green face and all. She enjoyed tailgate parties and Notre Dame football games (at least the early season ones, when the weather was warm). In Kankakee, as her children became more independent, Joan took her secretarial skills (which were a blessing to her sons when it came to high school and college term papers) to Yanor & Tribbey Co. (later known as the Yanor Company), an independent insurance adjusting business, where she soon transitioned to become a certified insurance adjustor. She took pride in that work for many years and valued the resulting relationships she developed working with the lawyers and other members of the Kankakee area legal community. In 1988, Joan lost her husband, Art, to cancer. She later met and married another wonderful man, Ralph Klein of Kankakee, in 1991, and acquired a bonus family to blend with her first. Joan and Ralph resided happily in Manteno, Illinois, for nearly thirty years, where Joan built a successful travel agency business, Joan Klein Travel. Joan loved to travel, did so extensively, and delighted in helping others enjoy good travel experiences, making the business a perfect fit for her. In addition to travel, Joan deeply enjoyed socializing with friends. She and Ralph were enthusiastic members of the Quadrille Dance Club of Kankakee. Joan and son David were active in many Kankakee Valley Theatre productions in the 1970s and ‘80s. She enjoyed bowling, bingo, the Greek Picnic, old movies, green beer on St. Patrick’s Day, and all things Disney. She loved and closely followed the activities and antics of her grandchildren. Joan was a member of St. Theresa parish in Kankakee, and later Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais. Surviving is son Paul Brocksmith of Evanston, Illinois; three stepsons, Michael Klein (Shawn Frechette) of Miami, Florida, Joe (Alina) Klein of Miami, Florida, and Gregg (Michelle) Klein of Superior, Colorado; and six grandchildren, Timothy (Marné), Kathryn, and Michael (Mary) Brocksmith, and Ashley, Audrey, and Harrison Klein. Joan is preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Leonard Tengblad; a brother, Thomas Tengblad; her husbands, Art and Ralph; her son David Brocksmith; and grandson Baron Klein. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be planned for later in the summer, and inurnment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.

Joan A. Klein

October 6, 1935 - June 30, 2026