Joan D. Helland, nee Cardell, 86, of Forest Park, IL, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 4, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Wayne A. Helland; loving mother of Jean McCloskey Sweitzer; dear grandmother of Illan, James and Mary Sweitzer (fiancé Daniel Sarmiento) and cousin to Renee Ruggeri, her siblings and their father Ron Baumann.

Preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Margaret Cardell; her beloved twin sister, Jean Schram Pryor; her aunt and uncle Raymond and Hilda Grant, and her dear cousin Margaret Baumann.

Joan was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from Carrick High School, lived much of her life in Forest Park, IL with her late husband Wayne, along with her parents and twin sister, spending the last eight years in Gainesville, FL surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren. Joan's life was dedicated to her family and friends; her kindness extended to everyone she met and her generosity and hospitality was a blessing to so many people.

Joan loved watching sports of all kinds, especially Chicago Bulls basketball and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball and golf. She also loved attending church, working at the Archery Custom Shop, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren, dear friends and all of the family pets, especially her cats. Her indomitable strength, tender spirit and kind nature are irreplaceable on this earth.

A graveside memorial service at Oakridge – Glen Oak Cemetery in Hillside, IL. will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Foundation of Community Hospice and Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL  32257. https://thefoundationcares.org/give/ Joan's family is especially grateful to their loving care for their mother and grandmother.

Please view and sign the family's online guestbook at www.hursen.com