Joan "Joma" Treland

Joan “Joma” Treland (nee Lash), age 94 of Glen Ellyn passed away April 8, 2024. She wanted it to be a day to be remembered, so chose the day of the eclipse! Oh, Joma.

She was the beloved wife of the late Roland “Rol” and “Grandpa Rol” Treland, Mom to Kathleen “Kathy” Treland and Karen (Gary) Evensen. Joma to Jason (Shelly) Hoshaw, Rachael (Gib) Egge, Tammy (Dan) Wolf, Kellie Evensen (fiancé Dan Wagner), Seneca (Navar) Fulton, Kayla, Ally and Jesse Kley, Emily Hoshaw, Anja and Brynn Egge, Gabby and Daniel Wolf, Bryson Evensen and Navani Fulton, and Aunt Joan to many nieces and nephews.

She was the daughter of the late Fred and Willa (Myers) Lash. She is preceded in death by her brothers Robert, Gary and Jon Lash. She talked to her sister Kay (late Larry) McKee almost weekly before her death.

Joan was born, raised and educated in Danville, IL with her brothers and sisters. While in Danville, she lived across the street from Dick and Jerry Van Dyke, and at the age of nineteen, she dated actor Gene Hackman. She graduated from Danville High School and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Illinois State in Normal. She was a member of Kappa Delta Epsilon, honorary education society, president of the Women’s League, honor resident of Fell Hall and former secretary of the Special Education Club.

Her first job was as a fourth grade teacher in Washington, IL. While in Washington, she attended a neighborhood meeting where the women were going around talking about their families (husband and 1 child, etc.). When it came to Joan, she said I have no husband and 23 children! One of the gals laughed and came up to her and said I have someone I would love for you to meet. That was our Dad! They met on a blind date, fell in love, engaged 6 weeks later and married shortly after that, on September 2, 1953. Rol was the love of her life!

She got her Master’s in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University, taking night courses in DeKalb and Chicago, while working full-time and raising her girls.

In the 1970’s, she and two psychologists, opened Michael Lane Institute, a private school that offered Joan’s special ed. services as well as the psychological assistance needed for students and parents. Michael Lane disbanded and she continued her private practice as a Clinical Educational Specialist, working with both children and adults. Joan Treland & Associates opened in the 1980’s, with Treland Academy starting in the early 2000’s. She was known for Mrs.Treland’s way or no way & that didn't mean don't do it at all. She had a sign in her office that said “NO WHINING!” Throughout the seven decades she taught, administered psychoeducational evaluations, wrote extensive evaluation reports, and mentored thousands of students, many that ended up bringing their own children to her as well. Joan would continue to work in special education and learning disabilities her entire life.

The success stories that people still share with us are overwhelming!

She was considered to be an honest and candid professional. Her recommendations to clients were astute, intuitive and accurate. One parent wrote, “Joan’s parting comments to me…” Never be satisfied with anyone’s mediocre job involving your daughter’s education.”

In her late 80’s she wrote a book, Gifted Dyslexics. It was her master’s thesis. Her instructor told her there were no such people as “Gifted Dyslexics” so she had to change her thesis title. Joan knew better. Joma’s sidekick and partner in crime, Julie Gonzales, was with her for about 30 years and was forever keeping her staff in line and helping Joma. Thank you, Julie!

Joan retired from her practice at the age of 90!

Joma got her name when her first grandchild (Jason) was born. She decided she was too young to be called Grandma, so took the Jo from Joan and the ma from Grandma. She is known by Joma to all of her family and friends.

Joma loved traveling, her weeks on Marco and Sanibel Islands, birdsong, flowers, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, gardening, cooking, ice cream, chocolate, good fried chicken, an occasional vodka gimlet with extra roses and later in life, cosmopolitans, her glass of wine after work, her house in Shawano, and most of all, her family and friends. She had an amazing sense of humor! She loved to entertain. At Thanksgiving, even with a small crowd, there would be a 23# turkey on the table! For years, she hosted the Treland Turkey Fest on the eve of Thanksgiving with way too much food – there would be leftovers for weeks – or so we thought. Joma was known for her rum cake and it was requested whenever there was a family occasion. She traveled the world and within the US, but loved her time just sitting, reading and watching the surf go in and out at Marco. She usually cooked a full meal for herself after work, with a fully set table, including candles, place mats and cloth napkins. When she sent cards, you would always find a beautifully pressed flower added in. She drove to her house in Shawano (that her son-in-law, Gary, built) practically every week for a long 3 or 4-day weekend, where she had numerous hummingbird feeders, a chiminea, fireplace, hydrangeas and lots of other beautiful flowers. She would have a fire in the fireplace no matter what the outside temperature. She had overnights and tea parties for the grandkids and great grandkids with little cucumber sandwiches and lemonade in the little pink doll sized tea set she had collected. We all grew up sitting up straight at the table, putting our napkins in our laps, saying please and thank you, and asking to be excused when finished. She blasted the music of Streisand and Bocelli on her stereo, just because she could – she was out in the middle of the woods!

Her final home was Churchill Place Memory Care in Glen Ellyn. The entire family would like to extend their utmost appreciation for their love and the unbelievable compassion they provided for our Joma.

If you wish to honor Joan with flowers, please consider a plant instead of an arrangement so the family can have it as a lasting memory. You can also make donations in Joan’s name to the International Dyslexia Society, online at https://dyslexiaida.org/donate or by mail, 1829 Reisterstown Road, Suite 350 Pikesville, MD 21208

Rest in peace Mom, Joma! We all love you to pieces!

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 14th at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane Street in Glen Ellyn with services starting at 12:30 p.m. Please feel free to share a couple minutes of memories for Joma during the service.

She will be laid to rest next to her love, Rol, at Forest Hill Cemetery in Glen Ellyn, corner of St. Charles Rd. and Riford Rd. in Glen Ellyn. For more information please call (630) 469-0032.

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