Janeen Maria Feldner-Pikula

Janeen M. Feldner-Pikula, 68, late of Orland Park, IL, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert M. Pikula. Loving mother of Terese (Joseph) Blake, Rebecca (Kyle) Pikula-Dunleavy, and Kyle (Elizabeth) Pikula. Proud and loving grandmother of Evelyn and Landon. Beloved daughter of the late Joseph A. and the late Donna Feldner. Dear sister of Duane (the late Meg) and the late Dr. Loren Feldner. Cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Tinley Park, IL, Janeen dedicated her life to nurturing and uplifting others, both personally and professionally. She graduated from Saint Xavier College, where she earned a degree in Speech-Language Pathology along with a Special Education Teaching Certificate, and her first classroom was a preschool, where her passion for working with children took root. She then went on to earn a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois, furthering her commitment to helping others communicate and thrive.
Janeen's career was more than a profession-it was a calling. She dedicated herself to helping others communicate, thrive, and reach their full potential. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology with a Minor in Elementary Education from Saint Xavier College (1974-1978), followed by a Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Science with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Illinois in 1979. With this strong foundation, she embarked on a lifelong career as a speech-language pathologist, touching the lives of countless children and adults.
Throughout her distinguished career, Janeen worked in a variety of settings, ensuring her expertise reached as many individuals as possible. She began her career in hospital settings before transitioning into specialized education, working in multiple special education cooperatives over the years. She spent six years at Southwest Cook County Cooperative for Special Education (SWCCCASE) from 1980-1986, followed by time at AERO Special Education Cooperative from 2011-2014 and Lockport Area Special Education Cooperative (LASEC) from 2014 until her passing. In each of these roles, she played an instrumental part in helping students with special needs find their voices, often working with children throughout their entire educational journeys.
Beyond school settings, Janeen provided clinical speech therapy for over 30 years at Professional Rehabilitation Services (PRS), working with both children and adults. She also devoted herself to home health care through The Innovative Care/Recover at Home-Health from 2010 to the present, ensuring patients received compassionate, individualized therapy in the comfort of their homes. In addition, she maintained a private practice for many years, balancing her professional work with motherhood, often using her own children as peer models to enhance her clients' therapy sessions.
Janeen was not only a dedicated practitioner but also a leader and advocate in her field. She was a longtime member of the Speech, Hearing, and Language Association (SHLA) of South Cook County, where she served on the executive board at times, helping to advance the profession and support fellow speech-language pathologists. She took great pride in being a lifetime member of several professional organizations, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA), and the South Cook Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Beyond her work with patients, Janeen had a deep passion for mentoring future speech-language pathologists. She frequently guided and supported students as they pursued their degrees, providing hands-on training, sharing her wealth of knowledge, and instilling in them the same compassion and dedication that defined her own career. She loved watching her mentees grow into skilled professionals, knowing that her influence would continue through the next generation of speech therapists.
Though Janeen was deeply devoted to her profession, nothing mattered more to her than family. She met the love of her life, Bob Pikula, in college. Bob, completely enamored with Janeen, worked tirelessly to win her over-even joining the cast of a college play to impress her, despite an embarrassing costume. His determination paid off, and the two built a life filled with adventure, unwavering love, and deep admiration for one another. Together, they raised three children who became their greatest joy, and they filled their years with travel, laughter, and shared dreams.
Janeen was a mother whose love knew no bounds, dedicating herself fully to her children's dreams and passions. She spent countless hours driving them to dance, gymnastics, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, swim team, water polo, and theater rehearsals at all hours of the morning, night, and weekends-always cheering them on from the sidelines, never missing a moment. She gave of herself endlessly, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
Janeen also held a special place in her heart for her role as a godmother and an incredible aunt. She cherished each of her godchildren, greeting them with a warm, loving "Hello, my godchild" and addressing every card and letter with that same affectionate title. But her love didn't stop there-she embraced all of her nieces and nephews, as well as their significant others, with the same deep care and warmth. She made each of them feel special, welcomed, and truly part of the family. Whether through thoughtful gestures, heartfelt conversations, or simply being a steady source of love and encouragement, Janeen had a unique way of making everyone she cared for feel treasured.
Her love for her grandchildren, Evelyn and Landon, was immeasurable. She and Evelyn shared sleepovers filled with whispered conversations and early-morning snuggles, keeping their special moments just between them. When they were apart, Janeen would send little surprises in the mail, knowing how much joy a small craft or gift could bring. When Landon was born, she was there through the sleepless nights, rocking him gently, caring for him with the same boundless love that defined her life.
Beyond her professional life and family, Janeen found joy in nature, especially in rescuing and raising butterflies. Her home became a sanctuary for these delicate creatures, with netted enclosures for every stage of their transformation. She delighted in sharing this passion, often gifting butterflies to friends and family on their special days as a symbol of renewal and beauty. She also loved attending classical concerts, tending to her garden, and most of all, being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Janeen will be remembered for her quiet strength, boundless kindness, and tireless dedication to caring for others. Her legacy of love and devotion will continue to shine through all who were touched by her kindness. She was a mother not only to her own children but to anyone in need of comfort, encouragement, or a gentle guiding hand.

Family and friends are invited to honor Janeen's life at a visitation on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 3:00-8:00 PM at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 Harlem Avenue, Tinley Park, IL.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025; please arrive at 9:45 AM at St. Alexander Church, 7025 W. 126th St, Palos Heights, IL 60463, for Mass at 10:00 AM. Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Garden of the Archangels Mausoleum.
To honor Janeen's love of soft, natural beauty, guests are invited to wear light pinks, purples, florals, or butterfly-themed attire in place of traditional black. These colors, which she cherished, will serve as a tribute to her gentle spirit and the joy she brought to so many.
For funeral information, please call 708-532-1635 or visit www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com .