Joanna M. Dreessen

Joanna M. Dreessen, 88, of Walkerton, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side.

Joanna was born in LaPorte, Indiana on May 16, 1937, to Paul and Marie (Schulz) Meyer. She was a graduate of LaPorte High School.  On September 1, 1956, in LaPorte, she married the love of her life, Carl L. Dreessen. She and Carl lived in Lafayette, while Carl completed his degree at Purdue.  After graduation, they moved to St. Louis.  However, their hearts always wanted to return to the area they grew up in and loved.  They returned to the Michiana area in 1963, and they never left.  They shared 58 wonderful years together before Carl’s passing in 2015. She worked at John Glenn High School for many years.  She joked that she and her oldest son started high school at the same time.  Joanna started as a librarian aide and then finished her career as part of the front office support staff, primarily supporting the athletic director. She loved to play the piano, playing euchre with friends and reading.  Her greatest joy came from being in the company of her family.  She loved her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.  You could drive by her home and see her outside playing in the yard with a group of happy kids laughing and running around the yard.  One of her joys was teaching her boys and eventually her grandchildren how to play croquet.  She would get that sly grin on her face when she had the opportunity to “send” someone during the game.  Joanna was also an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of New Tracy.

Joanna is survived by her loving sons; Michael P. (Blair) Dreessen of Huntsville, AL, James C. (Gena) Dreessen of Brownsburg, IN, Steve C. (Charman) Dreessen of Walkerton, and Greg S. (Cindy) Dreessen of Walkerton. She was the proud grandmother of six; Kelsey (Charles) Romine, Mike Dreessen, Charlie (Maria) Dreessen, Katie (Dmitry) Walker, Stephanie (Mike) Carlson, and Jennifer Dreessen. Joanna was also the great grandma to seven; Nancy Romine, Liam, Cooper and Riley Dreessen, Kira Walker, along with Paul and Henry Carlson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Margaret Hillsdorf.

A memorial service to celebrate Joanna's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST (9:00 CST), in the Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of New Tracy, 8705 S 100 E, Hamlet, IN 46532.  Following the service, the celebration of life will continue in the church's fellowship hall.  As per Joanna’s wishes she will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Tracy Cemetery in New Tracy, Indiana in a private graveside service.  

Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, 1216 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton, is assisting the family with local arrangements and wishes to extend deepest sympathy to all of Joanna’s family and friends.

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