Obituaries

A Loving, Full, Fun and Adventured Life September 22, 1941- September 12, 2020

JoAnn Elizabeth Follkie (nee Janicke), was born on September 22, 1941 in Chicago, IL. She entered Heaven’s Gates on Saturday Sept 12, 2020 at 78 years old.

JoAnn is the third child born to the late Marion C. Janicke and Anna E. (nee Navakauskas) Janicke and grew up with her loving, close family in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Anna, her beloved older brother Marion J. Janicke (Doris), and countless treasured pets she saved and loved with kindness through her years.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter and best friend, Erika L. Enguita (Brian) of Geneva, IL, her cherished grandsons Brayden, 9, and Kolten, 5; her beloved sister, Lorraine Norgle (Charles); her loving sister-in-law Doris (Marion); and many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

JoAnn graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago and attended college at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. Through her love of life, she embarked on a few different career paths. She started out as an accountant for the Teamsters, worked as a real estate agent, spent time as a landlord and building owner, worked at Comiskey Park, and ended up in customer service at Home Depot in Homer Glen, IL. Through perseverance, she established a legacy of hard work and being a “go-getter”.

She married Charles A. Follkie and lived in a landmark, historic home in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. In 1976, daughter Erika Louise came into the world and the two would form a very special mother-daughter connection that would last her lifetime. Living in Chicago for approximately 20 years, she built a foundation of love and legacy with her family and was always the bright and bubbly life of every family gathering. Being an avid sewer and very crafty and resourceful yielded the best decorations, happiest of parties, and the most creative Halloween costumes. With courage, she divorced and embarked on a new journey in her life to live in Lockport, IL for approximately 15 years. When the opportunity arose to live near her daughter’s family she moved to Batavia, IL. where she instantly became the social butterfly of her community.

Above all else, her family was the most important part of her life. JoAnn always helped, put others first, and loved deeply. Her proudest title in life was Mother and Grandmother – the perfect Mother and Grandmother who lived for us. A fun day to JoAnn was watch her grandboys play baseball, get ice cream, go on a hayride, and read them a book. Countless Friday nights were spent at the movies eating popcorn and chocolate with her family. Revered by her family, she was perfect in every way. Anyone would say JoAnn is the nicest, funniest, friendliest woman they ever met. Joann lived a fun-filled and very social life through her years and loved her family, animals and nature greatly. She will be dearly missed.

JoAnn’s family will receive friends at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 West State St. Geneva, IL. on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 4pm – 8pm. Funeral Services Saturday, September 19, 2020 with prayers at the funeral home at 9:30am proceeding to St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road Geneva, IL. for Mass 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers please donate in JoAnn Follkie’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A very special life celebration will be held for JoAnn at a later date.

For information call Yurs Funeral Home Geneva. 630-232-7337.

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