Joan “Jojo” Viant Lindsay Strom Born September 18, 1930 Until February 24, 2024

Joan “Jojo” Viant Lindsay Strom passed peacefully on February 24, 2024, at her home. She was 93 years old. Born in South Bend, Indiana, to Edith Bryant and Zim Viant, Joan grew up in Hebron with her brother Connie, and extended family of Bryants. She had vivid memories of her family and of Hebron, where she is returning for her family service and burial on Saturday, March 2, at Geisen Funeral Home (624 N. Main St.).

Joan’s childhood was filled with the best of farm life: horseback riding at Uncle John’s farm, corn detassling in the summers, and exploring the nature at Fisher’s Pond. Her life in town included dancing of all kinds, playing flute and piccolo in the marching band, and cheerleading at Hebron High School. Her parents shared their love of the arts; Edith taught piano and music, Zim was a skilled painter, and Joan developed talent in both areas. She also spent many of her quieter hours with her Aunt Net, who helped develop her lifelong passion for learning of all kinds.

Joan attended Northwestern University, which became a second home for her. Her beauty and talents took stage in WaaMu, the university’s student-produced variety show, and other recognitions included Centennial Queen, before graduating with a Communications major, which she valued and used throughout her life.
Northwestern was also where she met her first husband, Pete Lindsay with whom she had four children; two children who died in childhood, Mary Anne and Peter, and two surviving children, Suzanne (John) Lyhus and Doug. She has six beautiful grandchildren: Lindsay (Conor Keelan) and Janna Lyhus; (Ingrid Schroetter, mother of) Bryant, Andris, Peter and Danielle Lindsay; all of whom brought her great joy.

Post graduation, Joan’s Communications major was put to work in a variety of rewarding places, from Time Inc. (NYC) to being a radio disc jockey in Atlanta. Joan returned to Northwestern for two additional degrees in Education and Architectural History. She utilized the first in both the classroom and on the tennis courts, where she taught for many years, but it was the addition of her Master’s Degree in Architectural History that led her to her life’s passion as a docent, tour guide and author about architecture on the Chicago River. Joan gave architectural boat tours for two decades, until she retired at age 80. She also gave lectures and authored three editions of her book, Chicago from the River, in which she took all of the photos with her 35mm camera. The photos were so spectacular that Joan was asked to exhibit them at O’Hare Airport, where many were enlarged and displayed for the enjoyment of travelers from around the world.

In her 70’s, Joan discovered another passion, her second husband, Robert Strom, with whom she shared much love and joy until his passing in 2022. They enjoyed dancing, tennis and travel together – most certainly, three of her favorite things! They also shared love of music; among Joan’s many gifts was her ability to harmonize vocally, which enriched the listening pleasure of family and friends throughout her life.
Even with Joan’s advanced dementia, she was a communicator and connector; she adapted quite quickly to living in Memory Care at North Shore Place, where she always made introductions for friends and visitors. In her final years, she shared memories of Hebron and Northwestern with everyone, and usually assumed everyone else was connected with those places as well. No one minded that their names or “shared” memories were of Joan’s making; they felt the warmth of her heart and smile, and were welcomed.
She will be missed.

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Geisen Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 624 N. Main St., Hebron, IN 46341 from 11:00 AM until the time of Funeral Service at 12:00 PM with Pastor Wayne Williams officiating.

Interment to follow at Hebron Cemetery.

Visit Joan’s online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500.