Joan Buschbacher

Joan R. Buschbacher, a longtime resident of Waukegan passed away peacefully at home on July 25, 2013. Joan was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend to all who were blessed to be touched by her warm and loving personality. Joan was the loving wife and best friend of Edward M. Buschbacher. She was the devoted mother of Edward M. Buschbacher Jr., Scott W. (Kathleen) Buschbacher, and Kurt A. (Jennifer) Buschbacher; and the adoring grandmother to Kyle, Kirsten, Kolton Buschbacher, and Tricia and Elena Kimball. Joan was the beloved aunt of Richard (Anne Marie) Burke, Sherry (Tom Brandes) Roberson, John (Chris) Burke and Susie (Peter) Liapis. Joan was born in Waukegan on November 11, 1932. She attended Whittier School before moving to Cary Grove High and Zion Benton High School for two years. She graduated from Waukegan High School in 1952. Joan and her sister Helen went to a movie at the Dunes Theater in Zion while in high school. After having had their tickets taken by a handsome usher, Joan leaned into her sister and whispered, "I'm going to marry that boy!" She did. Joan and Ed were married on September 1, 1951 at the McHenry County Court House and spent the next 61 years living an extended honeymoon. Those closest to Joan knew that she had a sense of style and taste in fashion and jewelry that were both classic and timeless. She loved spending time shopping, dining out and visiting with family and friends. Her laughter and attentiveness at family parties will be missed by those who came to cherish those special moments. Joan met once a week for nearly 50 years with her close friends, Rosie, LaVerne and Hosanna for cards and coffee. Joan is survived by her husband Edward, sons Scott of Fairfax, VA, and Kurt of Imperial, MO, and her sister-in-law Dottie Hathorn of Corsicana, TX. She was preceded in death by parents Raymond Rasmussen and Susan Bizjak, stepfather Stanley Bizjak, grandmother and grandfather Susan and Alexander Daluga, sister Helen Burke, and son Edward Jr. Friends and family may visit the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, on Monday, July 29, 2013 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. A visitation will also be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 9:00 until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral service at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan's name may be made to your favorite charity.