Remembering the late Johanna Koslofski

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Herald
Roscoe Realtor Johanna Koslofski, owner of Valley Realtors passed away on Oct, 29. Friends, family and colleagues gathered to remember Johanna at Louie’s Tap House on Nov. 7.

Remembering the late Johanna Koslofski
By Jean Seegers
REPORTER
Johanna Koslofski was a well-known face in the Stateline area. She and her husband Jerry and their two sons moved to from Decatur, Ill, to Rockford in the early 1970’s. While living in Rockford, she worked for Whitehead Realtors. The family moved to Roscoe In 1974, and Johanna opened Valley Realtors, now known as RE/MAX Valley Realtors, 4761 Bluestem Rd. She specialized in selling real estate in the Roscoe area.
Johanna was passionate about improving the community where she chose to live and raise her family.
She and Jerry raised three children: Paul, Scott and LaTavia in Roscoe. All three children attended Roscoe schools including Hononegah High School.
To some, Johanna was a force to be reckoned with. Many saw her as a loyal, compassionate friend and co-worker.
Paul said his mother taught him and his siblings to be self-sufficient as they were growing up. “ She could be strict. I had to learn to embrace what she wanted.”
“She did so much for me and was always there when I needed her.”
Always a private person, Johanna didn’t want her friends and associates to know that she was suffering from a terminal illness. However, this was one fight she was destined to lose. Johanna passed away on Oct. 29, at the age of 77, just 6 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. She left this world surrounded by those who loved her.
No tears no fuss – per orders from Johanna. No funeral, no service. Instead, a few weeks after her passing, friends and family gathered together in celebration of her life, Thursday evening, Nov. 7, at Louie’s Tap House in Roscoe.
Throughout the evening, old friends, new friends, and employees reminisced and traded “Johanna” stories.
Dave Try, a co-worker at Valley Realtors has known Johanna for over 20 years. “I considered her a great friend. She was extremely knowledgeable about the Roscoe community and seemed to know everyone.”
Twenty years ago, State Farm Insurance Agent Jim Blevins was looking for office space in Roscoe. “Johanna helped me find my present location, right next to hers, at 4759 Bluestem. After getting to know each other we found out that we were born and raised about 12 miles apart in central Illinois.”
“If you knew Johanna, you knew she was tough as nails and determined.” Blevins said. “She was always promoting Roscoe. If you knew her better you knew she had a heart of gold and would do anything she could for you.”
“She was determined to succeed. She was a pioneer. Johanna paved the way for women to be business leaders.”
Johanna is survived by her sons Paul, and Scott, daughter LaTavia, five grandchildren, her sister Judy and her brother Mark. She is pre-deceased by her husband Jerry who passed away in 2007.
“My family and I would like to thank my mother’s friends and collegues who were kind enough to assist with the memorial celebration at Louie’s Tap House last week.” Paul said. “She would have enjoyed being there.”
She will be missed.