Jeanne M Johnson

Jeanne M Johnson (nee Sack), late of Kankakee, IL, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022, at the age of 98. Jeanne was born in 1924 to the late Frank and Blanche Sack (nee Wintermote), in Coffeyville, KS, the oldest of 12 children, and grew up on her family's farm. She moved out of the family home at age 17, months before the U.S. became involved in World War II. One of her jobs during the war was building structural parts for the B-29 bomber at a Coffeyville factory. Afte r the war she met her husband, Leo Johnson, who had served as a glider pilot in Europe. They married in September 1949, and worked in the petroleum industry for the next few years prospecting for oil from New Mexico to Montana to North Dakota. Her oldest son Clinton was born in North Dakota in 1954, and Jeanne and Leo moved to Harvey, IL in 1956 to raise their family. Jeanne's second son David was born in Harvey in October 1958, and her youngest son Gary was born in August 1961, also in Harvey. The family joined Ascension Catholic Parish in Harvey. A devout Catholic, Jeanne was active in church and school functions while her boys attended Ascension School. In addition to being a generous and practical mom and partner to Leo, she worked over the years as a legal secretary and office manager for multiple firms in the Harvey area, and served with her local Neighborhood Watch organization. Jeanne was an excellent seamstress, and a wonderful cook. Her fried chicken was legendary in her family. Each Christmas holiday her extended family anxiously awaited her gift of delicious homemade fudge. Jeanne loved to shop for antiques with her daughter-in-law Michele, and her home contained many of her finds. In 1994, Jeanne moved to Rapid City, South Dakota to live near siblings and other family members, but then returned to Illinois in 1996, settling down in Manteno. She became active in local neighborhood organizations and activities, even traveling to Springfield on multiple occasions to meet with legislators about issues affecting her community. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Leo Johnson, her parents Frank and Blanche Sack (nee Wintermote), and by siblings Paul (Sylvia) Sack, Lewis Sack, Francis (late Lexie) Sack, Leland (Joyce) Sack, Madeline (late John) Zebroski, Phillip (late Nona) Sack, Eileen (late Wilbur) Hofer, and Cecelia Ann (late William) Bridges. Jeanne is survived by brothers Donald (Carol) Sack and Dan Sack. She is also survived by her children Clinton (late Michele) Johnson, David Johnson, and Gary (Sandra) Johnson, grandchildren Lucas (Katherine) Johnson, Stacy Johnson, Scott Yeager, and by her step-grandchildren Andrew (Molly) Palmer, and Rebecca McGrath (nee Palmer). Jeanne was great-grandmother to Courtney, Milo and Meredith, and great-great-grandmother to four. Jeanne will be remembered fondly by her loving family and by the many friends and acquaintances she cultivated over her long and blessed life. Her humor, kindness, tenacity and love for her family will endure in the memories of those who love her. Memorials in Jeanne's name to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet would please her greatly. For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or Call 708-798-5300.