On December 9, 2017 Alma Joan Ebner (nee Swanson) died peacefully at home in Park Ridge, Illinois from complications related to Parkinson's Disease. Born in Sterling, Illinois on September 13, 1929, Joan was raised in the rural farming community of nearby Morrison, Illinois. Her parents, Walter Frederick Swanson and Edna Catherine Swanson (nee McLennan) raised strawberries and cultivated gladiolas. Her father was also a rural mail carrier. Joan was preceded in death by both of her parents as well as her sister Betty Lorraine Gray. Joan was an inspiration to everyone she met. A natural leader, she was at ease in front of a crowd, whether she was playing the accordion or moderating a political debate. She was kind, compassionate, understanding, witty, tidy, tactful and frugal yet generous. Joan enjoyed handcrafts of all kinds and shared her passion with her children and grandchildren. She told great stories, played the piano, and organized her closet according to color. She loved ice cream and was a wonderful listener. Joan earned her B.S. as well as her M.S. in Psychology at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, focusing her studies on early childhood development. Joan was devoted to enriching the lives of others through her involvement in the community. She was the first woman awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Park Ridge Jaycees and held both local and national leadership roles in Camp Fire Girls. She served as the President of the League of Women Voters of Park Ridge for many years and was also active in the Cook County League. After raising her children and earning her MBA at The Keller Graduate School of Management, Joan re-entered the workforce, focusing her career on fundraising for not-for-profit service organizations. She held Executive Development positions at Uhlich Children's Home, Chicago Child Care Society, Literacy Chicago, and the Center of Concern. Joan is survived by her four children, Martha Lynn Ebner of Rockford, Illinois, Susan Elizabeth Ebner of Oak Park, Illinois, Sarah Ann Ebner (Oran Whiting) of Chicago, Illinois, Thomas Howard Ebner (Jennifer) of Edwards, Colorado, grandchildren Mariah Kick, Dylan Mitchell, Geneva Mitchell, Jordan Ebner, Alec Ebner, Isabelle Ebner and Nick Ebner. She will be dearly missed by her family and her best friend, Albert Andersen. A memorial gathering will be held at the Park Ridge Community Church on Sunday, December 17th from 1pm to 3pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Advocate Older Adult Services, 9375 Church Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016.