Joanne B. Crowe (April 21, 1926 – June 24, 2023)

Joanne Crowe, 97 of Lindenwood, Illinois, embarked on the next great adventure of her eternal
journey on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford, Illinois, due to
complications of a fall in her home earlier that week, after enjoying almost a full century of
vibrant life well lived to the very end.

She was a quiet and introspective lady, who read widely, thought deeply, and cared intensely
for her family, friends, community, and the world, right up until her death. Even after her
eyesight was almost gone, and physical limitations kept her mostly at home, she kept up with
current affairs in her family, her community, and the world, devoured audio books at the rate
of four to six a week, and loved engaging in a good discussion with whoever might stop by for a
visit.

Joanne and her twin sister, Jean, were born on April 21, 1926 to Victor J. and Laura C. (Young)
Beaumont in Peru, Illinois, the same day as Princess Elizabeth of York – the future Queen
Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Realms – and always felt a special
fondness for Elizabeth.

Joanne graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1944. During the Second World War, she
worked as a "Rosie the Riveter," first at the Green River Arsenal in Lee County, Illinois, making
artillery shells, and then as a weld inspector on the US Navy's Landing Ship Tanks (LST's) built at the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company's "Prairie Shipyard" on the Illinois River, in Seneca, Illinois.

She attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa after high school, but transferred to Illinois
State Normal University, in Normal, Illinois after the war, and took a part-time job working for
State Farm Insurance Company in their home office. While working at State Farm, Joanne met
Lyle Crowe, a local farm boy and soldier who had recently returned from Germany, and was
also working at State Farm, and they married in 1947.

Shortly after they were married, Lyle took a job with the Nickle-Plate Railroad, and they moved
to Cleveland, Ohio, and then to Indiana where their first two children were born, Larry in
Tipton, Indiana (1951), and Kathy in Frankfort, Indiana (1953). From 1955-1963 the family lived
in La Salle, Illinois, and added two more members, Mike (1956) and David (1960), both born in
Peru, Illinois.

In 1963, the family moved to Lindenwood, Illinois, where Joanne continued to live for sixty years until her death.

The move to Lindenwood opened a whole new world for Joanne by bringing many new people
into the circle of those she cared deeply about and providing outlets for her to give of her time
and talents. She was a child of the Great Depression. She learned early in life to be an excellent
cook and seamstress, and throughout her life acquired many other skills such as gardening,
canning, knitting, quilting, and rugmaking, which she not only utilized at home for the benefit of

her own family, but also gave freely to her new community. She lent her culinary skills to
countless Ham and Turkey Dinners and other food-related functions at the Lindenwood Union
Church, and cooked hams and sent other food items for the Community Club Smorgasbord to
raise money for the Lindenwood Grade School. She taught other women in the community to
make braided rugs like the ones that graced many of the floors in her own home and helped
the Lutheran Church Ladies Quilt Club in their efforts.

She was a member of the Lindenwood Union Church, served in their Ladies Aide group, and
sang in the church choir for many years. She served as a School Board Member for the
Lindenwood Grade School. And for many years, she served first as a Postal Clerk, and then
Postmaster of the Lindenwood Post Office, positions that she loved because she was able to
daily serve and speak into the lives of the people of the community that she loved.
After retirement, Joanne stayed very active. She hosted formal tea services at her home for the
women of the community. She traveled to Europe, and made many road trips with her friend
Margaret Knight, often to rock and shell shows in search of prized additions to their respective
extensive collections. For as long as she was physically able, she took great joy in maintaining
her extensive flower gardens and numerous long walks with her beloved dogs.

Joanne was predeceased in death by her husband, Lyle M. Crowe, her youngest son, David K.
Crowe, her beloved son-in-law, Karl E. Horn (Kathy's husband), parents, Victor J. Beaumont and Laura C. Beaumont, and her three siblings: Robert A. Beaumont, Elizabeth L. McFarland, andJean Stum.

She is survived by her children: Lawrence E. (Larry) Crowe, of Loves Park, Illinois,
Kathleen (Kathy) Horn of Lindenwood, Illinois, and Michael D. (Mike) Crowe, of Lindenwood,
Illinois. She is also survived by three grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren: Kathy's
daughter, Danielle (Rick) Magana of Charlotte, NC, and their son, Ricky Magana; Kathy's
daughter, Adrienne (Mike) D'Amato-Horn, of Poplar Grove, IL, and their sons: Ari and Enzo
D'Amato; and Larry's son, Jeffrey A. (Jeff) Crowe of San Diego, CA.

The family wishes to express our profound gratitude to Joanne's friends, neighbors, the
Lindenwood community, and particularly to the local volunteer fire departments and Lynnville
Township for their kindness, help, and special accommodations that helped her remain in her
home until her death. Should you wish to dedicate a memorial to Joanne, the family suggests
the Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District, or the Lindenwood Union Church.

Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M., Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Lindenwood Union
Church, 101 Galena Street, Lindenwood, Illinois. A Funeral service will follow at 11 A.M. with
Pastor Dan Sergeant officiating. Following the funeral service, Joanne's earthly remains will be
laid to rest next to her husband, Lyle and son, David at the Lindenwood Cemetery, Lindenwood,
Illinois, among many dear friends and neighbors, in that sacred place where she loved to walk
with her dogs, enjoying the peace and tranquility, treasured memories of family and friends,
and the beauty of nature.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.