Joanne Zelten Obituary

I am deeply saddend to just recently hear of Joannes passing. My thoughts are with you Donna and Joannes family. I remember and appreciate Joanne as one of my best bosses. She was special, a great nurse and teacher. I miss seeing her running in the neighborhood - she would always stop and we would have a laugh or two and she was on her way. You have my deepest sympathy and I am thinking of you in this difficult time.

Dear Donna & the Zelten Family -
I am a nurse at Rush who worked in the neurosurgical ICU where I helped care for Joanne. What an amazing soul and tender spirit. I'm sorry this is so late in coming...I did not know she passed until recently and am incredibly sad. She fought the hard fight and did so with dignity and respect. While I didn't know her well, I thought of her often and she touched me very deeply - it is easy to see that a special person was lost to all of us. My thoughts are with you.

It is with great sadness that I learned of Joanne's passing. I knew Joanne and her family from our time growing up in Oak Park. From the words that have been expressed here, it is clear the lovely young woman with a ready smile, contagious laugh and heart of gold that I remember lived a life full of good friends and noble deeds. A life worth living.

I am grateful to have known Joanne. My condolences go out to her family and many friends. I share in your grief and celebrate the wonder of her life.

Donna,Diane and all the Zelten family.The Lord gave us a special gift when he brought Joanne into this world.What an inspiration she was to so many people,especially my sister Eileen.May her soul rest in peace,life has not ended, just changed.Love the Dennis Madden Lemont Ill.

Joanne,
You are and forever will be a great source of inspiration to all who were blessed to be your friend. Your genuine caring and heart has made us better knowing you. Your courageous fight with grace, dignity and strength (and many laughs and smiles) tells me you were as much an Angel on Earth as you are now in Heaven. I know you will be watching over Donna and all who love you, gracing us with your presence from time to time. I am so sorry that I was not able to attend your celebration of life but know in my heart you were always and will continue to be, thought of every single day. Donna, no one could ask for a better partner or deny the great love with which you cared for her during her illness. Much love to you and the family, my sympathies to the Zelten Family.

My sincere condolences. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Shirley Campos, Sasha's owner

Donna---you were a terrific caregaker and partner to Joanne. What love I experienced when I visited. You are in my thoughts and prayers during your time of grief. Much love,
Marcia

Dear Donna, We are so sorry. We just found out on Saturday afternoon. Had we known we would have been with you showing our respect, love and support to the both of you.
When we think of Joanne wonderful, positive adjectives come to our minds. She was a kind, warm, caring, beautiful and fun person and friend. Our hearts break for you.
We will be in touch.
Our deepest, deepest sympathy.

Dear Donna and Family.
My deepest sympathies go out to all of you at this time of profound loss. Joanne was a phenomenal Head Nurse and Staff nurse. She could take care of the sickest patients, and could take care of the most ornery of patients with great skill and grace. It has been a privilege to work with Joanne for 25 years and to have been her friend. She taught me all the sills a nurse could ever need. Very early in her career she had the skills, professionalism and compassion that a new nurse or very experienced nurse could only hope to aspire to in her life time. I will miss her smile, her laugh and how she could light up a room with her presence.

Dear Donna and the Zelten Family, My deepest sympathies to you all as you grieve the loss and celebrate the life of Joanne. Her smile, kindness, care and concern for her friends, family and patients will be remembered always. In my current management position I try to emulate the style of one of my early mentors (JOANNE). There are many memories including my wedding day that include Joanne that I am today recalling with a smile. She brought happiness to many!
Love,
Pat OConnor

Dear Donna,I just heard about the passing of Joanne.I did not know her well,but I know you well enough to share in your loss.My prayers are with you.Love Ann Carole

to the zelten family & Donna.please accept our smypathy in your great loss. Joanne was a special person.She shared our sorrow when we lost my husband.

Dear Walt & Family,
We were saddened to hear of yet
another loss in your family, and
sincerely regret that we are not
able to be with you all at this
difficult time.
Sharing your sorrow,

Joanne,

I will always remember you. So many thoughts, fun times, and memories from St. Edmunds, high school, and beyond. It would take hours and probably days to list all of them. God Bless you.

David Wolfe

Donna my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. She was a wonderfull lady and will be very much missed by many. Keep the memories of the good times no one can ever take that from you.

I went to Trinity High Scool with the Joanne Zelten. My memory of her was that million dollar smile. It lit up the room. Everyone wanted to be her friend and she was generous with her frindship to others.
I am not surprised that she became a nurse. A profession that demands one to have a sense of others, rather than a sense of self. The relationship skills and empathy I saw at Trinity must have added to the complexities and contours that made her a great nurse. One person,can make a difference to many.
The field of nursing must now cloak itself in the rememberance of her positive and impactful lived examples of life and leadership.
With sympathy

Few people in this life can say they have
known and loved a friend for over 30 years. Time may have moved on and changes occured but never for a moment
when I would see you or talk with you
had anything ever changed. Friendships and love like that always grow stronger.
I thank God for the gift of you... your laughter, your music... your love and help to me in my trying times. You will always remain in my mind and my heart.... I pray for peace within Donna, Diane and your family.. peace for us all
love..

The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.

Donna and The Zelten Family,

Our deepest sympathy. May the love of friends and family be a source of comfort to you at this time. As the youngest of the Madden family, I am privileged to have many great childhood memories of Joanne. She will live eternally in the hearts of all who knew her. God Bless you Joanne...may you rest in peace.

My prayers and thoughts are with you as you grieve Joanne's death and celebrate her life. I was fortunate to minister alongside Joanne during my chaplain residency at Rush. What a blessing she was to the patients, family and staff there. We mourn with you.

Donna and the Zelten family. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. We are so thankful that Donna and Joanne were able to come to our rescue in February. She was a good person. She will be missed.

Who could ever forget Joanne's big blue eyes and great laugh? She was my first charge nurse; boy did I luck out with her as a new grad! I'll never forget one of my first evaluations- I was 3 months pregnant, exhausted, but not telling anyone yet. Joanne had to wake me up (at 8 am while working) to give me my review. She never mentioned it and I was eternally grateful. She will be sorely missed.

Donna and family,
Joanne will be deeply missed. She was always a nurse I looked up to and admired.

To Donna and family. I am so very saddened by the news of my dear friend Joanne’s passing. The loss is profound. I am so very honored to have been best “boyfriend.” Words cannot express my gratitude for this dear soul and the years we spent knowing each other. Being present with her and Donna through this illness has been one of the most difficult and beautiful experiences of my life. I saw and experienced true love, devotion and commitment. We should all be so blessed to be surrounded by such loving people during our final days here on earth. I know she is now free of pain, whole and healthy.

Joanne, I will always love you and you will remain in my heart forever.

John Vazquez

Donna and the Zelten Family,
Even though I met Joanne a little less than a month ago, it was obvious what a special and amazing person she was. I regret I will not be able to deepen my relationship with her. My deepest sympthies go out to you all.

To all of the family and friends of Joanne:
My deepest sympathy.
With the passing of her life on earth, a new and greater one begins. Joanne fought and won her eternal reward.

EVERYONE WHO EVER MET JOANNE REMARKED HOW SHE WAS ALWAYS SMILING. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A STORY ABOUT HER. WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS SICK ,JOANNE WOULD RUN PAST MY HOUSE DAILY. SHE WOULD ALWAYS STOP IN AND SEE IF SHE COULD HELP ME. SHE DID NOT EVEN KNOW GRIF BUT SHE VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE CARE OF HIM SO I COULD HAVE A BREAK . MY SON WOULD CALL ME AND SAY "MOM YOUR FRIEND THE RUNNER WHO ALWAYS IS LAUGHING IS HERE" I WILL NEVER FORGET HER KINDNESS. I WAS PRIVILEGED TO BE CONSIDERED ONE OF HER MANY FRIENDS.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. LINDA CIBULA

Donna, We are so, so sorry over the loss of Joanne. We remember her warmth, brightness and hearty spirit. We send lots of love and good energy to you. Jo Giarrante and Janet Trzaska

Donna,

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Joanne. Let your wonderful family (my Mom always spoke so highly of the Italians) & your network of friends give you the strength & comfort you need during this time. Peace~

Donna and the Zelten family, My sympathies go out to all of you,I felt blessed to know Joanne since I was growing up in River Forest,she made my father smile many a day and became a part of our family, during her sickness she brought many an inspiration to all who were with her, may she be blessed eternally with our Lord. Joanne...Much Love and Peace in your new home. Mark and Roseann Madden and family

Diane & Donna,

So many fun memories!! Joanne will live in our hearts forever!!!

Love,

Caryn

Joanne,
Thank you for the love and light you will always be in our lives.
The Lord bless you and keep you and we will meet again.
Peace, my friend...

Love, Eileen,Pat and Family

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.