March 18, 1942 – January 31, 2022
information provided by Smits Funeral Home
Joanne De Vries, nee Beukema, age 79, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022, in Crown Point, Indiana. Joanne was born March 18, 1942, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, to John and Alice (Ouwenga) Beukema, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Herman J. De Vries, Sr., her brother William (Tess) Beukema, her sister Marlene (Joe) Brannon; Joanne’s children Herman J. (Renée) De Vries, Jr., Laura L. (Steven) Van Deel; grandchildren Sarah (Alex) Baas, Alyssa Van Deel, Herman David De Vries, Duncan Van Keulen, Stephanie Van Deel, Corinna De Vries, Amber Van Keulen, and Vincent Van Deel. She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Amy Katt De Vries.
Joanne was a loving wife and mother. She enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, creating a neat and comfortable home, spending time with dear friends, and, above all, spending time with her grandchildren. Joanne lived out her strong faith in quiet devotion and in many unsung acts of charity. She spent 20 years teaching preschool at Family Life Child Development in South Holland, Illinois. She was also involved for many years in various ministries at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois.
A private funeral service will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. The service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH.
Joanne endured a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease during her final eight years. Gifts in memory of Joanne De Vries can be made to the Commitment 26 Patient Assistance Fund, Wittenberg Village in Crown Point, Indiana.
