Joanne Okken

Joanne Okken, age 82, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

She was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey and married Jacobus “Jack” Okken on June 23, 1975. They soon moved to Wayne where they would live their whole life.

Joanne was a homemaker and loving mother, ever caring for her husband and four children. She was a life-long member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes where she was active for many years in the church’s Lois Circle. She loved the years she was a helper in the kindergarten class and for the many kindergarteners at Netherlands Reformed Christian School.

Joanne loved to bake and cook. The large assortment of her cookies and Dutch Oliebollen (deep-fried pastries) were family favorites. Her family was a constant source of joy, and making crafts with her dear grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, was always very special to her. 

Joanne was the beloved wife of the late Jack Okken (2003). She was the loving mother of: Laura and husband Jake Van Dalen of Middletown, NY, Craig and wife Cathy Okken of Sparta, James and wife Andrea Okken of Hackettstown, and Joseph and wife Christene Okken of Park Ridge. She was the cherished grandmother of: Kaitlyn, Jacob, Kristina, Emma, Shannon, Jackson, Callie, Adley, Hanna, Ronald, and Amelia. She was the dear sister of: the late Walter Hoogmoed and his late wife Evelyn, the late Gertrude Van Houten and her late husband Paul, the late Cornelius Hoogmoed and his late wife Claire, Lena “Winkie” Southway and her late husband Peter, Elizabeth Okken and her late husband Henry, the late Cornelia “Cookie” Hoogmoed, and Arthur Hoogmoed and his wife Chris. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

Joanne’s family would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living, Wayne, for their kindness and caring. 

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Joanne’s name are asked to please consider a memorial contribution to the Netherland Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.