JoAnn M. Plautz, age 85, a resident of Carol Stream, IL, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, September 21, 2026. She was born on July 16, 1941 in Seventy-Six, Missouri to Royden & Elvira Frese. JoAnn’s father was a Lutheran pastor, so the family moved frequently as he served many congregations. As the oldest of six children and many cousins, she learned the true meaning of family at a young age and cherished those relationships. She looked forward to seeing them every year at their annual family reunions.

JoAnn earned a teaching degree from St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas. She accepted her first teaching position to a two-room Lutheran school in Yankton, South Dakota where Joe Plautz was the principal. After JoAnn’s first letter to Joe, he knew right away that she would become his wife. They married in 1962 and later had 3 daughters to become the family of 5 J’s, Joe, JoAnn, Jan, Jill, and Julie. In 1964, they moved to Jacksonville, Illinois where Joe and JoAnn taught at Salem Lutheran School, for over 20 years. JoAnn stayed home when her first two children were young, but enjoyed teaching pre-school when they were older and even had Julie as one of her students. JoAnn loved and served her Lord by being active at Salem Lutheran Church in LWML, the handbell choir, and also used her talent as an organist for their church services. In 1988 after retiring from teaching, Joe and JoAnn moved to Wausau, Wisconsin where JoAnn stayed active by working at several jobs. Her favorite of those jobs was working in the Residence Hall at UW-Stevens Point where she enjoyed interacting with the students there.

JoAnn loved being a grandmother and was very supportive of everything her grandchildren did. Joe and JoAnn made frequent trips to the Chicago, St. Louis and Dallas areas to attend baptisms, confirmations, dance recitals, graduations, performances, and just to love on her daughters and grandchildren. One of her greatest delights was having all of her daughters and their families together at their home in Wausau. She enjoyed taking the entire family out to eat and also loved having family game nights. Shortly after Joe passed away in 2023, JoAnn moved into Belmont Village Senior Living to be near her youngest daughter, Julie. Our family was blessed by the exceptional care provided by the wonderful nurses, caregivers, and staff that treated her with respect and kindness. JoAnn liked participating in the activities provided by Circle of Friends and especially enjoyed the music entertainment at Belmont Village. She always looked forward to special visits with her family. Even in her later years, her eyes would light up if you asked her if she wanted to play Yahtzee or Quiddler.

She is survived by her daughters Jan Kassing, Jill (Mark) Hitz and Julie (Tim) Cook; grandchildren Daniel (Nicole) Kassing, Matthew Kassing, Rachel Kassing, Olivia (Matthew) Clayton, Julia Hitz, Madeline (Josiah) Livingston, and Josiah Cook; great grandchildren: Kinsley & Aubrey Kassing and Lucas Clayton; her siblings Judy Curtright, Susan (Edward) Johnston & Donald (Cindy) Frese; her brother-in-law Butch Hogan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph; her son-in-law John Kassing, and her siblings Elroy Frese & Donna Hogan.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home in Carol Stream, 565 Randy Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188, on Sunday, September 27, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Concordia Seminary https://www.csl.edu/give/

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.