Joan Liesen

Joan C. Liesen, 84, of St. Vincent Home died at 7:05 PM, Wednesday (Oct. 28,’2020) in the Nursing Home. Joan was born on Feb. 2, 1936, in New York, NY, a daughter of John and Gertrude Gyparis. She married Thomas W. Liesen on Feb. 1, 1958 at Sacred Heart Church in La Porte, IN. He is deceased.

Mrs. Liesen was a graduate of Quincy College in 1957 and after marriage was a stay-at-home mother for 23 years until she began work at Blessing Hospital. She worked in childcare there for 19 years until she retired. Mrs. Liesen was a lifelong and devoted member of St. Francis Catholic Church. She was a member of the Secular Franciscans, had participated in Cursillo, and volunteered at St. Francis Church. One of her cherished volunteer activities was bringing the Eucharist to the homebound. She also enjoyed religious pilgrimages, particularly to foreign lands with her husband and daughter Mary, and visiting her children and grandchildren. She was a Sunday and daily mass communicant. She greatly loved the time spent with family.

She is survived by 11 children: Dr. Richard Liesen and his wife, Patricia, of Newark, OH, Dr. Stephen Liesen and his wife, Janet, of Quincy, David Liesen and his wife, Dr. Laurette, of Chicago, Christopher Liesen and his wife, Lucy, of Naperville, Dr. Joseph Liesen and his wife, Brenda, of Canton, MO, Dr. James Liesen and his wife, Dianne, of Bolivar, MO, Chryssia Hea of Quincy, Thomas J. Liesen of Quincy, Mary Liesen of Carthage, Dr.-Daniel Liesen, of Gurnee and John Liesen and his wife, Jennifer, of Hudson, OH. There are 39 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, namely Richard’s children: Nathan, Nicolette and Nadia Liesen; Stephen’s children: Weston and Dr. Clayton Liesen; David’s children: Dr. Matthew and Dr. Carolyn Liesen; Christopher’s children: Nicholas, Michael and Gregory Liesen; Joseph’s children: Sarah, Sondra, Maria, Katie and Andrew Liesen; James’ children: Kelsey, Alexandra, Zachary, and Jamie Liesen; Chryssia’s children: Aaron, Samuel, Elizabeth, and William Hea; Thomas J.’s children: Thomas Jr., Julia, Adam and Colleen Liesen; Daniel’s children: Alexis, Joshua and Claire Liesen and John’s children: Alexander, Victoria, Emma, Jacob, Noah, John Jr., and Isaac Liesen. Great grandchildren are Theodore and Josephine Lorenzo. Sister-in-laws: Camille Harvey along with her husband David and La Rae Liesen. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, her parents, an infant granddaughter, Natalie Liesen (Richard 1997) and an adult grandson, Ryan Liesen (James 2020), and a brother-in-law: Donald Liesen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 10:30AM at St Francis Catholic Church in Quincy, IL. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Quincy. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, from 4 – 7 PM at St. Francis Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church, Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), or St. Vincent’s Home. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

17 Comments

  1. Don Benz on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Dear Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace

  2. Brian Harvey on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Deepest sympathies and prayers for all my cousins their spouses and families. Aunt Joan was a sweet kind generous person and I will miss her but also am confident that she is in heaven and will continue to look out for her family the way she always has. Our prayers are with you all on this day and always.

  3. Fr. Joe Zimmerman on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Joan and her family were always gracious when I would stop by to visit on my way to or from St. Mary Hospital, sometimes letting me share their meal. And Joan was a faithful attendee at the QU weekday Masses until her health made that impossible. May she enjoy God’s rewards and share them with her husband Tom.

  4. Jim and Karen Bernard on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Steve, Jim and I are so sorry about the loss of your mother. May God wrap his loving arms around and bring you peace at this trying time.

  5. Donna Humbert on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    My sincere sympathy to my cousins their spouses and children in the loss of their Mother,Grandmother and mother in law. Aunt Joannie was such a beautiful soul and made this world brighter by being in it . I do not think she ever met a person she did not like.Rest in Peace and say Hi to all the family. Another special Angel in Heaven!

  6. Sally Kintz on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Sending my thoughts and prayers to all the Liesen family – and especially Joe who I am privileged to work with.

  7. Dan & Pam Sherman on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    We remember fondly our dear friend, Joan, who we admired for her strong religious example and selflessness. May she Rest In Peace⭐️

  8. Bonnie Perrine on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    I am very sorry for your loss. Your mother was such a kind and gentle woman. She always had a smile on her face it seemed. Prayers for all of you

  9. Gloria Collins on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Joan was a dear friend. I worked with Joan for many years at Blessing Hospital daycare and for some years in the same room. She was my favorite person to work with. I lived out of town and on Wednesday nights Tom and Joan would have me come over after work and stay for supper before heading over to my church so I didn’t need to drive home and back into town. What a wonderful couple! I’m glad to call Joan one of my dearest friends.

  10. Roger and Kathy Stuckman on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    So very sorry for your family’s loss,but Joannie is now at peace in her eternal Heavenly home. I can’t say enough about this amazing lady! She had such a positive impact on anyone who knew her. She was the most easy going,nicest,sweetest and esp. the most Christian-like person I’ve ever known. She is truly the definition of a modern day Saint! We should all strive to BeLikeJoan! Heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the Liesen family. Thanks for the memories Joannie—you will be sadly missed!

  11. Diane Sparrow Andrew on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Our sincere sympathies. Joan was a very sweet and religious lady. May she rest in peace.

  12. Mike and Ruth Liesen on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    We would like to express our sincere condolences to the Liesen family.

  13. Patty Lanning on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    I worked with Joan for several years at Blessing Childcare. She was the most patient and loving person I’ve ever met. Joan always had a positive thing to say about everyone.

  14. LeRoy + Janet Rossmiller on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Steve and Jan, today I realized how well we know your family. Wonderful memories from the our Bakery and such a loving family. We are saddened to hear of your loss. Prayers and love to you.

  15. Mark and Mary Shelden on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    We grieve with you and remember Joan for the saint that she was, and is! What an amazing and memorable woman. We hold you in our hearts, in your loss and heaven’s gain.

  16. Vickie Gerhardt on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    I Feel so lucky to take care of Joan when I worked at St. Vincent’s. She was a wonderful lady. Sending prayers to the whole Liesen family.

  17. Sandy Stupavsky Sheely on November 16, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    I had the honor of working with Joan at the Blessing Child Care Center. She loved spending time with children, especially the babies! I’ve never known a more patient, loving and spiritual person, treating each child as her own. Joanie shared many family stories over the years and was so proud of each of her children. She was truly an angel on earth…..prayers and sympathy to the entire Liesen family.

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