Joan Marie Kern, 75, passed away at her residence with family by her side. Joan was born on September 22, 1945 in Chicago, the daughter of Sam and Rose (Capobianco) Minnice. Joan did various types of employment ranging from retail to working in collections department for businesses before becoming a nurse. She began her nursing education at Elgin Community College and completed her nursing degree at Harper College. Joan enjoyed nursing, working from cities throughout the NW Suburbs of Chicago. She worked in pediatrics, surgical, wound care, home health and floor nursing; additional she enjoyed working on case management and auditing patient’s files where she would uncover mysteries such as finding duplicate and triplicate records on one patient. Joan loved to volunteer; such as helping adults read at Rolling Meadows Public Library and Rockford Public Schools Primary Grades. She began as a Girl Scout in Chicago, Illinois. Later in life she was a Senior Scout leader and Chaperoned in the Sybaquois Chapter. She volunteered at Peterson Meadows Barnabas in ministry, fundraisers and bake sales, 90% of all home baked goods were made from scratch. Joan helped at the Rockford Mission with assisting in the food pantry and at St. Paul Lutheran Church with provided home bake goods and with their fundraisers. She had many hobbies such as knitting, embroidery, making angel pins, assembling puzzles and framing some, solving mysteries, baking, ceramics and was an avid reader of mystery books.
Joan is survived by her children: Michael Rupnow of Kalamazoo, MI; Christopher Rupnow of Chicago and Debra Rupnow (William) Funck of Rockford; grandchildren: MaryAnn Funck of Drakesboro, KY., Lilyan Funck and William Funck IV both of Rockford; great-grandchildren: Maximus Douglas, Isabella Douglas and Thomas Spurlin all of Drakesboro, KY.; brother: Dennis (Dorey) Minnice of St. Paul, MN; nephew: Paul Minnice of Chicago; aunt: Carol (late husband Roger) Whitehead of Surprise, AZ; several cousins and friends spread out through the United States.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Rose.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the following: ASPCA, Cancer Society, Heart and Lung Associations, any Veterans group such as VFW and American Legion, Serenity Hospice and Lutheran Charities.
Due to the COVID pandemic, Private Family Services to Celebrate Joan’s Life will be scheduled.
