Joanne Grauer Marie Desenis OBITUARY

Joanne Grauer Marie Desenis OBITUARY

Joanne Marie Grauer Desenis of Highland Park, IL, born to Gerhard and Marie Grauer in Cincinnati, OH, passed away on September 28, 2026, at the age of 95. Sister of Curt and David Grauer; widow of Philip Desenis; loving mother of Lynn (Rick) Swanson, Deb (Jim) Sackrison, Judy (Scott Peterson) Desenis; grandmother of Jennifer (Matthew) Geiger, Lauren (David) Tyda, Caitlin (Garin Habeshian) Sackrison, Annie (Rahul) Dey, and Meg Peterson; great grandmother of Makena Geiger and Nina Dey; and aunt to 10 nieces and nephews. Joanne graduated from Carleton College in 1953 where she majored in sociology. She married Phil in 1954 in Chicago, where they raised their family until they moved to Deerfield, IL in 1959. In 1968, Joanne obtained her teaching degree and taught kindergarten in Deerfield’s School District 109, at both Cadwell and South Park Elementary Schools; a career she cherished for 23 years. Joanne loved children, friends, family, books, crossword puzzles, fresh air, rain, walking, golfing, knitting, volunteering, choir, piano, travel, chocolate, and ice cream. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Trinity UCC, 760 North Avenue, Deerfield, IL, 60015 or Door County Land Trust, PO Box 65, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.