Joan Carol Wrede Hinrichs

Joan Carol Wrede Hinrichs, 81, of Herscher IL passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in St. Charles IL, on May 9, 2023. In her final weeks, she was tenderly cared for by Michelle, her youngest child, and in her final days, she was surrounded by her loving family and many friends. Joan was born on September 22, 1941, in Watseka IL, but grew up predominantly in central Indiana. She was a Hoosier at heart! She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 62 years - Leonard “Dean” Hinrichs of St. Anne IL. The happy couple married on December 2, 1961 at Sainte Anne Catholic Church. Joan was a loving mother and grandmother to four children and eight grandsons - Leonard D. (Mary Herold) Hinrichs II and their sons Leonard “Lee” and Aidan of Mooresville IN; Scott A. (Dawn LeDuke) Hinrichs and their sons Christopher and Nicholas of Limestone IL; Leandra K. Hinrichs (Daniel Herbert) and their son Konrad of Pasadena CA; and Michelle L. (Brian) Ferguson and their sons Samuel, Quinlan and Charlie of St. Charles IL. Joan is survived by 5 siblings - Shirley A. Beisecker of Hillsboro IN; Ryland E. (Sara) Wrede of New Ross IN; Clifford D. Wrede of Hillsboro IN; Christina F. Wrede (Ralph) DeFlorio of Hillsboro IN; and Martha L. (Donald) Morris of Crawfordsville IN. She is preceded in death by her father and mother Edward A. Wrede and Mary M. Stoup Wrede of Hillsboro IN; sisters Mary L. Wrede Freeman of Veedersburg IN and Kathy S. Wrede Johnson of Attica IN; and son Scott A. Hinrichs of Limestone IL. Joan was a true modern woman, adept at balancing a busy work-life with a meaningful home-life. In her various professions, Joan unfailingly rose quickly. It began with Tupperware in the 1970s and 80s, where she earned the esteemed distinction of “Top 10 in the Nation in Sales,” and continued with Casey’s General Store in the 1980s and 90s, where in short order, she was promoted from a clerk of the Herscher store to Supervisor over multiple stores in the surrounding counties. Her last career move was to open her own travel agency - Daily Planet Travel. She relished being her own boss and running her own business. Over the years, no matter how demanding her schedule was, Joan found time to volunteer. She was an active member of the Kankakee Junior Women’s Club, fulfilling many varied roles, including president and treasurer. Joan also gave countless hours to the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, and the Kankakee County Fair Pageant. And after she retired, Joan did not rest, she instead volunteered almost full time at the Riverside Hospital gift shop. Even though Joan was extremely busy throughout her professional life, she always made sure she had daily one-on-one time with Dean, and each of her children individually. Although Joan loved working and spending time with her family, she also thoroughly enjoyed entertaining. Over the years, she and Dean hosted countless get-togethers, from bridge parties to Halloween costume parties, to their highly anticipated, always festive annual Christmas Eve celebration. Their parties were warm and welcoming, but also quite lively. There was always plenty to eat and drink, and Joan and Dean - ever the consummate hosts - made sure a great time was had by all. Lastly, Joan loved to travel. She was never so happy as when she and Dean loaded up the station wagon with four noisy kids and headed down to Florida. The couple also visited nearly every US state, as well as Mexico often, and Canada, Jamaica, and Australia. More recently, their travels had them exploring the stunning beauty of our National Parks. But if we could ask Joan today where she would most like to go, she would surely say “All I want, is to go back to Daytona Beach, and get my toes in the sand at sunrise!” That was indeed Joan’s happy place! Joan was a brilliant spark among us, and her absence will be greatly felt by many. A celebration of life will be held for Joan on June 10, 2023, beginning at 1:00 pm until the 3:00 pm memorial service at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, IL. Pastor Kevin Boesen will officiate. Memorials may be made to the family wishes. Please sign her guestbook at www.clancygernon.com

Joan Carol Wrede Hinrichs

September 22, 1941 - May 9, 2023