Marie Helen Kanta

Marie Helen Kanta (née Resetic), a lifelong resident of Joliet, IL at age 98, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by her loving family, at The Willow Falls Senior Living Community in Crest Hill, IL on June 29, 2026. She was born in Joliet on August 1, 1927 to her father Joseph Resetic and her mother Agnes Resetic (née Kovacic).

Marie was educated in Joliet, IL as a member of the Class of 1941 at Saint Joseph Grade School as well as the graduating Class of 1945 from Joliet Township High School. Along with many women of her time, Marie entered the workforce during World War II to keep the U.S. economy on track while our soldiers were off at war. She worked as a Supervisor at Gerlach Barklow until her wedding day when she married the love of her life, Joseph Kanta, on September 2, 1950. After their marriage, Marie worked as a homemaker, wife, and mother to three children. She was always very active in her children’s lives as well as the community at large. She spent much of her free time over many years volunteering at her children’s varying school functions. Marie’s dedication to her Catholic faith was unwavering as she was a lifelong member of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Joliet, as well as a longtime member a number of local groups including Saint Joseph’s Seniors, Saint Joseph’s Altar and Rosary, and Will County Seniors. Marie enjoyed sewing as a young woman, and later was known to play the quarter slot machines for hours at the local casino. She enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra and Polka music, and rarely missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune. Marie will always be remembered, by those who knew her best, as one of the sweetest women you could meet. She was so appreciative of the loved ones in her life, and when someone thought to send her a greeting card, she cherished the gesture. She never threw one away, and instead kept them as a reminder of the wonderful people with whom she had been blessed to share her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Agnes; her husband of fifty-five years Joseph Kanta; brothers Joseph (the late Ann) Resetic and Edward (the late Marge) Resetic; sisters Agnes (the late Frank) Koscik and Frances (the late Lou) Pajak; as well as numerous family members via marriage who precede her.

Marie is survived by her children Jane (Jim) Juricic, Eileen (Jim) McCann, and Larry Kanta; grandchildren Jim Juricic Jr., Christopher Juricic, Sarah (Mike) Dusel, Jennifer (Scott Wallace) McCann, Bradley (Cheryl Chavez) Kanta, and Amy Kanta; great grandchildren Ryan (Grace) Juricic, Andrew Yurkus, James Cosentino, and Jack, Owen, and Luke Dusel; sister Bernice (the late Emil) Ramsak; sister-in-law Monica (the late Ben) Kanta; along with many extended family members, friends, and other loved ones who also survive.

The family would like to offer a special note of gratitude to the nurses, caregivers, and staff at Willow Falls Senior Living for their exceptional care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that any donations offered in Marie’s name be directed to Saint Joseph Catholic Church at https://www.stjosephjoliet.org/giving.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Monday July 6, 2026 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to return to Tezak’s on the morning of Tuesday July 7, 2026 at 9:00 am for continued visitation prior to closing prayers and procession to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St. Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am. Immediately following Mass, we will travel in procession to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 1500 N. Raynor Ave. Joliet for a Chapel Committal Service before Marie will be interred in her family plot, rejoining her husband Joseph for the rest of time.