Obituaries

Joy Ann Freedlund (Hartmann) passed away peacefully in Reunion, Florida on April 14^th, 2026 at the age of 79.

She was born November 1, 1946 in Bloomington, Illinois, to Donald and June Hartmann. Joy attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and received her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. Joy worked as a dental hygienist throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s bringing care and kindness to all she served.

On August 24, 1968 she married the love of her life, Rogers P. Freedlund, Jr. in Bloomington. Joy and Rogers moved to the Chicago area after they were married and started their family. In 1976 they moved to the Tri-city suburbs and raised their family there. She continued to work part-time while raising her daughters and often volunteered her time at the free dental clinic for children.

Joy and Rogers enjoyed living in the St. Charles area for more than 40 years and spending time with their family and friends, and most especially their cherished nine grandchildren. Her family was truly her life’s work.  Joy loved teaching her daughters and granddaughters how to ride horses. She loved to cook for her family and her grandchildren will always remember her Thanksgiving dinners. She loved traveling to other countries and one of her favorite trips was riding horses through the Scottish countryside. She loved tennis and skiing; classic movies; her dogs; brunch with her family and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events.

Joy and Rogers loved to spend time in Lake Geneva with their family. They also loved spending time in the winter at their home in Palm Coast, Florida and have many happy memories of their times there with their grandkids.  Joy had a heart for philanthropy and for giving to those in need, especially Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora, IL. She and Rogers received the Humanitarian of the Year award in 2015 from Hesed house for providing resources to struggling families for 30 years. Their vision and support created the foundation for the first “Lighthouse family” to be stably housed and supported.  They continued to provide the resources to house struggling families through Hesed House and the Lighthouse program for many years.  Joy and Rogers supported many charities throughout their lives and taught their children and grandchildren to continue this legacy.

She was a follower of Christ, and taught her beloved grandchildren to say their prayers. She will be so missed by her loving family and dear friends.

She is survived by her three daughters: Kirsten (Jon) Anderson of Reunion, FL; Jamie (Daniel) Lievrouw of Palm Coast, FL; and Brittany (Kirk) Lerdal of Elburn, IL. Her adored grandchildren: Jonathan (Kameisha) Anderson, Collin Lievrouw, Ashley (Robert) Hanrahan, Alexa (Zach) Woeste, Morgan (Joey) Soderstrom, McKenna Lievrouw, Brendan Anderson, Benjamin Lerdal and Alexandra Lerdal; and two great grandchildren Connor and Kennedy Woeste.

Visitation will be held at Yurs funeral home in Geneva, IL 10 am-11:30 on Saturday, April 25^th, 2026 and a memorial service will follow. A luncheon will be held starting at 1:00 PM at Foxfire restaurant in Geneva, Illinois.

Arrangements entrusted to Yurs Funeral Home, Geneva, 1771 West State Street; for more information please call 630-232-7337.

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print