Joan L. Rasmussen

Joan Finzel Rasmussen, 72, of Elgin, IL passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on April 2, 1952, in Huntley to George and Yolanda Finzel. She grew up on a dairy farm where she learned to drive a tractor and was one of the few who could drive a stick shift. Her first job was making sundaes, cones and banana splits at the Huntley Dairy Mart. After college she worked for Safety-Kleen for 46 years, starting in the computer room in 1972 and working her way up to Engineer Software IT Lead when she retired in 2018. Joan was known for her kind spirit, her appreciation for the simple joys in life and her love for family and friends. For her, there was nothing better than spending time under a shady tree with loved ones. Joan cherished time with her twin sister, Jean, who was her lifelong best friend. Together they shared a passion for quilting and hunting for the perfect fabric for the next project. She made the most delicious deviled eggs and enjoyed baking for family. “I’ve got dessert covered” is what she’d say when planning the weekly dinner with her daughter Julie. She was always up for a game of Skip-Bo or dominoes, she played for the fun of it and not to win, tending to play a card to help the person following her. She enjoyed challenging her mind with a Sudoku each morning, working on jigsaw puzzles and reading mystery novels. Joan volunteered her time at the Gail Borden Public library, where she found joy in helping others and connecting with members of her community while forging new friendships. Joan was a woman of quiet strength and grace. She asked for little, only to be loved and appreciated. She was a beloved daughter, sister and mother and will be deeply missed by all that knew her. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, George and Yolanda Finzel, and her older brother Ron. She is survived by her daughter Julie (Al) Errico, her twin sister Jean (Todd) Turner, younger brother Steve (Annamaria) Finzel, close childhood friend Judy (Jim) Myers and several nieces, a nephew, cousins and all of their children. Memorial service to share memories and celebrate Joan’s life will be held on Friday, January 17 from 4-7pm at James A. O’Connor Funeral Home, 11603 E. Main St. in Huntley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin or Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva.

Joan L. Rasmussen

April 2, 1952 - January 10, 2025