Joanne Patricia Kraatz

Joanne Patricia (Kerns) Kraatz of Laurel, MD went to be with the Lord on August 27, 2022.  She passed peacefully in her home in the presence of her children.  She was 91.

Joanne was born on September 13, 1930 in Akron, Ohio to James and Sarah (Nelson) Kerns.  She moved around as a child, due to her father’s job with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., living in Akron, Ohio; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; and Memphis, Tennessee.  She attended Kent State and The University of Akron.

On December 22, 1951, Joanne married Ernest Edward Kraatz and they raised five children together.  They were married for 65 years until his death in 2017.  She loved her home, her family and her church.  Joanne was a caring soul who always had a kind word.  She was the best mom in the whole world and loved to gather her family together.  One of her most cherished activities was to go outlet shopping with her daughters, on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts.  Christmas was her favorite time of year and she always made it special, planning and preparing for it all year long.  Though Joanne attended church from childhood, it was in the early 1970s that she and her husband Ernie trusted in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for eternal life and were born-again (John 3:16-17).  Her faith was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren.

Joanne is survived by her children Diana McConnell, Christina Bynum (Pierre), Michael (Beth) and Kenneth.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Jessica Burt (Kelly), Kathleen McConnell (Mark Moneypenny), Catherine Long (Jonathan), Joseph Bynum, Joshua Bynum (Meghan), Connie Spires (Bruce), Emily Adesina (Segun), Chelsea Cicalo, Leland Kraatz (Lauren), David Kraatz and Alice Kraatz.  She is also survived by her great grandchildren Evan, Mikaela, Avelin Grace, Jonathan Jr, Jesse, Mia, Jordan, Khloe, Naomi, Jaden, Lilo Joy, Autumn, Daisy, Maddie, Emma, Adelynn Rose, Kayla Mackenzie, Obadiah and Isaiah.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest and her son, Robert.