Joan Nina Andersen

Joan Nina Andersen, 84, of Barrington, IL passed away July 4th, 2023. She was born on July 26th, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Alfred and Ulla Raae.

Joan is survived by her sister, Ann (Dennis) Gantter; her children, Scott Lewis (Nancy) Wahl, Michael Raae (Fiancé Patty Chiselko) Wahl, and Kimberly Ann Wahl (Joe) Holland; grandchildren, Kelly (Doug) Deer, Kate (Vince) Barrow, Andrew (Katie) Wahl, Alyssa (Hunter) Tebbitt, Moira (Curtis) Durr, Kirsten Holland, Tyler Holland, and Megan Holland; great grandchildren, Kenzie, Isla, Archie, Ollie, and Raae. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Andersen, and ex-husband, Peter Wahl.

As a child of Danish immigrants, Joan was born in Brooklyn and lived in Garden City, NY until the family moved to first Evanston, IL and then Barrington, IL where she attended high school.

Joan attended Iowa State University where she met and later married Peter Wahl, settling in Iowa City, IA where they started their family of three children, Scott, Michael, and Kimberly.   After a number of years in Iowa City, the family moved to the east coast, living outside of Boston in Canton, MA and later in Norwalk, CT.

After Joan and Peter divorced, she returned to Barrington, Il to be with her parents, her sister Ann, and Ann’s husband Dennis.  It was shortly after her return to Barrington that she was introduced to Arthur (Art) Andersen by her best friend from high school, Heather.  Joan and Art married in 1978 and lived their remaining years in Barrington.

A devoted spouse, mother, and grandmother, Joan was beloved by her family and many friends.  As a stylist at several boutiques in Barrington, many will remember her for her kind and friendly demeanor and her infectious smile.

Joan was also a tireless volunteer and board member at a local not for profit organization, Preservation of Human Dignity (PHD) that supported women and families.  Joan and Art were awarded the “Spirit of Life” award in 2007 for their devotion to PHD and the commitment to their cause.

While Joan found great pleasure in her activities and her friendships, it was her family that brought her the most joy, especially her grandchildren, treating them to a chocolate cake or chocolate frosted brownies, both favorites of the grandchildren.

During her long battle with Alzheimer's, Joan stayed positive, quick with a smile and a laugh, and always with the twinkle in her eyes that we all knew and loved.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Joan’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association online at www.alz.org or via mail to 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.