Joanne Helen Porch

Joanne Helen (Beck) Porch, age 88, of Big Rock, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023. She was born on April 26, 1935 in Aurora, the daughter of Albert Beck and Henrietta (Reuland) Beck.

Joanne graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s High School where she attended Girls State in 1952. She attended Alverno College in Wisconsin where she enjoyed taking art classes.

Joanne will be known by many as one of the sweetest and kindest people they knew. She loved animals, especially cardinals, hawks, her cats and the many stray cats that roamed around town she kept fed and warm. She enjoyed spending time in her garden and the yard. Joanne loved watching all sports on TV, especially her Chicago Teams and the NCAA basketball tournament. Her distinct giggle laugh was something that would bring joy to anyone around her.

Joanne was a steadfast wife, mother and friend. She was resilient, brave and independent until the very end. She spent 80 years in her beloved Big Rock and loved being a part of the community.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years Douglas H. Porch; son Eric Kaufenberg; parents Albert J. Beck and Henrietta O. Beck; sister Anna Mae (Beck) Dalton; brothers Don Beck and Albert Jr.; son in law Don Miller; and niece Jan (Beck) Wahlgren.

Survived by her children: Heidi Miller, Toby (Vlatka) Kaufenberg, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Karla Porch (Allison) Keelean; daughter-in-law Sue Leifheit; grandchildren: Hans (Amie) Kaufenberg, Karl Kaufenberg, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Retired Miles (Mary) Kaufenberg, Kyle and Hannah Kaufenberg, Josephine and Bernadette Keelean; great grandchildren: Elizabeth and Maylin Kaufenberg; nieces: Sue Beck, Kari Jo (Beck) Dunteman, Cali (Beck) Reed-Ziegler, Lisa Beck Herman, Lori Beck Bastian and nephew Gary Beck; as well as countless friends throughout the Hinckley-Big Rock, Judges/Lifetouch Photography, BlackBerry Farms and Boulder Hill communities.

A special thank you to her close friend Delma (Jaime) Maldonado, and the amazing caregivers who cared for her in her last moments.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Big Rock Historical Society. Joanne’s heart has been in Big Rock her whole life and her family’s legacy is deeply rooted there. She would be grateful to support the Historical Society.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 10am to 12pm at the Big Rock Historical Society, 48W445 Hinckley Road, Big Rock, IL 60511.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 815-286-3247.