Joy Halvorsen

Vicky Joy Halvorsen, 73, of Zion, Illinois passed away March 12, 2026 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was born June 15, 1952 in Waukegan, Illinois to parents, Bernard and Jean (Hill) Halvorsen.

Joy previously lived in Waukegan, Illinois and Beach Park, Illinois before moving to Zion. After graduating from Waukegan High School in 1971, she worked in Food Service at Victory Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. Joy was also a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan.

Joy loved to entertain–hospitality was everything to her. Her potato salad was in high demand for every function! She had a pool at her home in Beach Park, where all were welcome and encouraged to swim anytime. In addition to her love for swimming, she enjoyed activities of all kinds: bingo, Bunco, marbles, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, coloring, painting, and various crafts. Joy also enjoyed traveling with her parents, sister and brother-in-law–especially going on cruises and vacationing in Cancun. She found friends everywhere she went.

Joy loved monkeys of all sorts, real and stuffed, but her love of animals extended beyond monkeys. For her 70th birthday she adopted her dog, Gretel, from a rescue.

Joy is survived by her special friends, Laureen Carl, Sarah Hester and little Stevie, Gary Kanter, and Jeannie Peyton.

She was preceded in death by her dearly missed sister, Gay Penttinen, and her parents.

A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service at 4:30 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road Zion, Illinois 60099.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joy’s honor to First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan, 122 North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085.