Joanne E. (Oftedal) Walter

October 26, 1942 – October 31, 2023

Joanne E. (Oftedal) Walter was called home and entered eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on October 31, 2023, at the age of 81, at Brighton Gardens in Saint Charles, IL.  She was born October 26, 1942, in Shabbona, IL, the daughter of Amos and Verda (Johnson) Oftedal.

Joanne was a homemaker who served others well and an amazing mother and friend.  She was beautiful in every way and always smiling, full of laughter and making others laugh with her clean sense of humor.  She showed sincere respect, kindness and compassion to everyone around her.  She loved music, dancing, playing games, gardening and socializing with many who adored her.

Joanne also showed immense courage, perseverance, humility and grace throughout her life as she faced both hardships and triumphs alike.  But through it all she was resilient, and it was her family that was the true joy in her life.  She absolutely loved spending time with her children, their spouses and grandchildren. She loved telling anyone who would listen about how proud she was of each one of them and their accomplishments.

In her latter years, before Alzheimer's fully set in, she found hope, forgiveness, peace, comfort and joy that surpasses all understanding, through a growing faith in Jesus Christ.

Joanne's family is grateful for the love and companionship of her caregivers throughout the years and the staff at Brighton Gardens Memory Care in Saint Charles, IL.

We will all miss our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  But our memories of her will always bring us smiles, laughter and grateful hearts to God for the gift of Joanne Walter.

Joanne is survived by her 3 children, Jackie (Carlos) Duarte of Saint Charles, IL, Jill (Michael) Broz of Clarendon Hills, IL, and Ryan (Kristina) Walter of Sugar Grove, IL; 8 grandchildren, Danielle (Ade) Bowden (Duarte), Samantha Duarte, Isabella Duarte, Jenna Broz, Katie Broz, Andrew Walter, Ethan Walter, and Lauren Walter; 1 great-grandchild Bohdi Bowden.  She is also survived by two brothers Bob (Diane) Oftedal of Amboy, IL and Jim (Vicki) Oftedal of Naperville, IL.

She is proceeded in death by her parents and her sister Molly Hartman.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 12:00pm at Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL.  Followed by a funeral mass on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 1:00 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, 302 Fisk Ave. DeKalb, IL with Father Dean Russell officiating.  Private family burial will be at First Lutheran Cemetery in Lee, IL.  A celebration of her life will be held following the funeral mass at 2:30pm at Whiskey Acres, 11504 Keslinger Rd. DeKalb, IL. Memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date.  Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 815-758-3841.