Joan Julia (Brenda) Rehlander

Joan Julia (Busia) Rehlander, 90, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

Joan was born December 10, 1931, in La Porte, Indiana to the late Maciej and Anna (Rzenik) Brenda.  

On September 2, 1950, Joan married Eugene R. Rehlander who preceded her in death March 4, 2008.

Joan was a manager at National Tea Grocery, a cashier at Al’s Supermarket, a housewife and a loving mother.  She was a lifelong member of Holy Family Parish, Sacred Heart Church, and the Altar Rosary Society. Joan was baptized, attended school, and was married at Sacred Heart. Most of all she loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and spending time with her family.

Joan is survived by two daughters, Sue (Rob) Spicer of St. John, Indiana, and Cindi (Tom) Satoski of La Porte, Indiana; three sons, Mike (Mary) Rehlander of Bloomington, Indiana, Dave Rehlander of La Porte, Indiana, and Luke (Vickie) Rehlander of La Porte, Indiana; 13 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren and 1 due at Christmastime.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Frances Brenda, Mary Rudolph, Genevieve Lesiewicz, and Helen Menden; and brothers, Tadeus, Roman, Joseph, Benny, Albert, Stanley, and Casimer Brenda.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte.  A Parish Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2022, at Holy Family Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 201 Bach Street, La Porte, Indiana.  Reverend Ian Williams will officiate.  Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home Monday from 9-9:45 a.m.

The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to all of Joan’s caregivers, Alice, Val, Brianna, Terri, Kristen, and all of Dunes Hospice, and to Deacon Frank Zolvinski.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 201 Bach Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350 or Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Joan’s life or leave a message of comfort for the family, please visit www.EsslingFuneralHome.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Julia (Brenda) Rehlander, please visit our floral store.