Joan Rita Bednarczyk

Joan Rita Bednarczyk, 86, of Gonzales, passed away Tuesday, July 11. Joan was born May 26, 1931 in Chicago, IL, to Harold and Mary Hickey Foley. Joan married Nicholas Bednarczyk Jr., on June 2, 1964 in Park Forest, IL. She was a member of the Maranatha Christian Fellowship Church in Luling.

Joan was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic School with the Class of 1949. Joan seriously entertained the thought of joining a convent to become a Nun. Joan enjoyed seeking adventure, she loved to travel and see new and exciting places. If her senses were not being heightened by new horizons through travel, well, there was always ice cream and watching television with her husband that made her happy. Joan was a good conversationalist and a great listener. She enjoyed sitting down with loved ones and sharing stories. She found tremendous peace in listening to the beautiful music of Kokopelli. Joan found great pleasure in reading, and she enjoyed writing real life and fantasy stories under the pen name J.B. Treetop. Joan enjoyed a good joke and loved to laugh. She was a very good cook and made Pierogi dinners (Polish Dumplings) that were so delicious memories of which will bring smiles to her family's faces for years to come. Joan was a loving mother and she adored her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Nothing brought her more joy than spoiling her beloved grandchildren with love.

Joan Bednarczyk is survived by her adoring family, son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas Michael and Renee Bednarczyk of Belmont, sisters, Alice Broekstra of Port Aransas, Marybeth Foley of River Forest, IL, Kathleen Snow of Chicago, IL, Peggy Bretz and her husband Matt of Melbourne, FL, grandchildren, Rebecca Riojas and her husband John, Cassandra Bednarczyk and her great-granddaughter Julianna Pekar and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and parents.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 14 in Seydler-Hill with Pastor Allen Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Maranatha Christian Fellowship Church or the Belmont Fire Department. Friends may sign the guest book by going online to www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.