JoAnn Elizabeth Jantze died Sept. 27, 2012 with her family at her side. Holding her hands were her husband of 65 years, Clyde, and son Mark. Mrs. Jantze was 84.

Born on Nov. 9, 1927 in Woodburn Oregon, JoAnn Elizabeth Tweedie was the daughter of Gertrude (Brown) Tweedie and Le Roy Tweedie. Her family moved to Salem, Oregon in 1940 after her mother’s early death. JoAnn graduated from Parrish Junior High as class secretary. It was there that her friendship began with her future husband Clyde Jantze. They graduated together from Salem High School in 1945. A member of the Order of Rainbow Girls Society all four years of high school, JoAnn was the Chapter Worthy Advisor her senior year. JoAnn valued academics highly and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Upon graduation JoAnn attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and then Mills College in Oakland, California. After completing her sophomore year at Mills, Clyde proposed and they were married on Sept. 20, 1947 in Reno, Nevada. They celebrated 65 years together this month. Living in Oakland, Hayward and San Leandro, California, JoAnn began her life as a homemaker.

In 1957, with newborn son, Mark, JoAnn and Clyde relocated to Chicago where Clyde began a new position with Continental Can Company. The family moved to Riverside in 1960.

For the next 25 years JoAnn was an active member of the community, serving as PTA president for Blythe Park Elementary School, and as a District 96 school board member for two terms.

She was a Cub Scout den mother at Blythe Park School and continued her role as a scouting mom, encouraging her son Mark as he advanced in Boy Scouts to become an Eagle Scout, an achievement she was very proud of.

JoAnn was an active member of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Maywood, where she directed numerous Christmas pageants and led the Senior High youth group with

Clyde. With best friend Pat (Hoglund) Michels, JoAnn volunteered in the Riverside Republican Party organization from 1972 through 1979. She was a member of the Riverside Police and Fire Commission from 1979 to 1985, serving her last two years as chair.

JoAnn and Clyde travelled extensively across Europe and Asia, including trips to China, Vietnam and Australia. Taking cruises was their favorite form of travel. They retired in 1985 to Litchfield Beach, South Carolina to play golf and enjoy warmer weather. An avid golfer, JoAnn served as the president of the River Club Ladies Golf League. Litchfield is where she acquired the name “Beach Momma” from her grandchildren Jordana and Karl. After 26 years in South Carolina, JoAnn and Clyde moved to the Beacon Hill Retirement Community in suburban Lombard in 2011.

JoAnn’s grandchildren, Jordana and Karl, son Mark, daughter-in-law Kirsten, and husband Clyde were the center of her life. Her support for Clyde during his 70 plus year career in the food and beverage industry was recognized by the “Canmakers” International Magazine in April 2012. JoAnn gave her best to everything she did. Whatever she touched was left better for her involvement.

Arrangements handled by Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., Brookfield. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com