Joan Steenhausen, 57, of Crystal Lake, Special Education Supervisor at District 300

Joan Steenhausen, 57, of Crystal Lake passed away Oct. 22, 2012 with her sisters by her side.

The daughter of John Raymond and Mary (nee Somers) Steenhausen Joan was born in Chicago May 25, 1953. She spent her youth in Indiana, graduating from Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw in 1971.

Joan graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974 and received a Master of Arts from Ball State University in 1976.

Always a caring, compassionate, loving person, Joan dedicated her life to helping children with special needs. She began her 35-year career in special education as a speech-language pathologist.  Throughout her career as a teacher, administrator, and finally as a Special Education Supervisor at the School District 300 deLacey Family Education Center in Carpentersville, Ms. Steenhausen positively impacted the lives of innumerable children, families, and colleagues.

Joanie enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews who love her very much.

Joan  is survived by her parents; her sisters Mary Ann (Dave) Creighton, Nancy (Scott) Schmutzler, Susie (Jim) Allen, Ellie (Christopher) Clapp; her brother Jack (Meredith) Steenhausen; her nieces Kate (Lucas) Schmutzler Collins and Chandler and Ellison Dew; her nephews Richie (Cyndie) Robison, Ben Schmutzler, and Sam and Will Clapp; and, her great-nephew Harley Robison.

A memorial visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Route 176, Crystal Lake.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. The Mass will be preceded by a one-hour visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at the church. 

Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Joan requested donations be made to the District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence or the charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit the District 300 website http://www.d300foundation.org/donations.html or mail contributions to the Joan Steenhausen Memorial Fund at D300 Foundation, 300 Cleveland Ave, Carpentersville, IL 60110.