Joanne Schreuders is a widow, mother of ten, author, speaker and
organizer. She has written three books: Family At Large, Doing It Well - Walking Through Cancer with Hope, and her workbook, Securing Your Legacy. Joanne has spoken
at various events and is available to speak on topics such as
home/office/garage organization, Swedish Döstädning Cleaning and
Securing Your Legacy - Doing It Well.
About Joanne Schreuders
Joanne Schreuders is a widow, mother of ten, author, speaker, and
organizer. The small town of Fullarton, Ontario is home to her.
She has authored three books: Family At Large,
Doing It Well - Walking Through Cancer with Hope, and her workbook Securing Your Legacy. Joanne speaks
at various events and offers presentations on topics like home,
office, and garage organization, Swedish Döstädning Cleaning, and
Securing Your Legacy - Doing It Well.
Joanne was born in Ontario to a Christian family and attended
Christian schools throughout her childhood. Her personal
relationship with God truly began at an All-Ontario Youth
Convention (AOYC) during her teenage years. She met Jim, who
became her best friend and later, her husband. Together, they
raised ten children—five boys and five girls. Joanne found herself
strengthening her faith during challenging times, realizing she
was not meant to carry life's burdens alone. She was meant to hand
them over to God.
Joanne and Jim decided to homeschool their children through
elementary and junior high school. Inspired by her experiences and
conversations with other homeschooling mothers, Joanne wrote about
large family life in her book Family At Large – An Entertaining Peek into the Life of a Large
Family, first self-published in 2016 and updated in 2024. She later
wrote
Doing It Well – Walking Through Cancer with Hope after her
husband Jim's battle with cancer, providing support to others on similar
journeys.
Seventeen years after the removal of her brain tumour, Joanne
faced new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Jim's
cancer diagnosis. Although Jim's leg was saved, the cancer spread
to his lungs, and despite their prayers, he eventually passed
away. Joanne turned to writing as a means of coping, leading to
her second book,
Doing It Well – Walking Through Cancer with Hope, aimed
at supporting others through similar hardships. Following these
experiences, Joanne felt called to guide others in preparing for
the end of life through her business, Organize and Prioritize,
helping people declutter and pass on their treasures to the next
generation.
Services
Speaking Engagements
Joanne can speak to your group on several topics, such as:
Home/Office/Garage Organization: Decluttering, purging,
and transforming your home in manageable bites.
Swedish Döstädning Cleaning: The process of removing
unnecessary things from your home while you are still able, before
you pass on.
Securing Your Legacy – Doing It Well: Learn about
end-of-life decisions including writing wills, preplanning funerals,
memorials, and more.
In Joanne's business, Organize and Prioritize, she helps you
evaluate and manage your cherished items. With emotional attachments
making it tough to part with things, the process can feel
overwhelming. Joanne simplifies decluttering by breaking it into
manageable steps, enabling you to transform your space with only
what you need to live fully today.
I will walk alongside you as you complete the workbook, Securing
Your Legacy, offering practical guidance and encouragement. Step by
step, we’ll organize key documents, plan for your family’s needs,
and capture the memories and stories you want to preserve. My goal
is to help you clearly record your wishes and make thoughtful
choices now that will bless your loved ones later, leaving behind a
plan that reflects both your life and your values.
Jim walked his cancer journey well. Leaning on God, he strived to
keep humour and normalcy in everyday life, preparing his family
for the future. Are you doing it well?
Cancer is hard – plain and simple. You or a loved one might be
one, out of four, on this rollercoaster ride that no one wants to
take. No matter which of the more than 100 types you or your loved
one may have, we all want to do it well. Come on Jim's wild ride
with his wife Joanne and their ten children as Jim strives to
maintain humour and normalcy in everyday life. Witness the true
friendships that we all crave. Meet Crispy, Jim's pet chicken and
the others that followed creating the comic relief they so needed
during those hard days. Joanne also shares ways you can be God's
hands and feet for those who are on this ride. What different and
tangible ways can you show them God's love and provision? Along
the way, you get to share in the thought-provoking questions. Who
is really in control anyway?
Humorous tales, life tips and provoking thoughts are shared as you
glimpse what it's like to be part of a large family with a Super
God.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to parent a large
family? Or does the idea of having "all those kids" scare you?
Joanne Schreuders, a homeschooling mother of ten, shares an inside
look at her life raising a large family. Between the covers of
this book, you will find humorous tales of flannel bunnies,
bookstores and Christmas turkeys, along with a balance of life
tips and Joanne's thoughts on being a mother. Some say mothers of
large families are Super Moms, but Joanne shares a different take
on this unique lifestyle, one that requires a Super God!
Did you know that the average age of a widow is just 56? Losing a loved one is never easy, but being prepared can make an
immense difference for your family during their most difficult moments.
This workbook is designed to ease that burden, guiding you through
personal details, funeral wishes, memorial planning, and more.
With a simple fill-in-the-blank style, you'll have a clear
reference for the more than 87 decisions your loved
ones will face amid grief. Plus, the included discussion starters ensure
meaningful conversations—bringing insights and clarity you never expected.
Take control now, so your family isn't left guessing later. This 16-page workbook is more than just preparation—it's a gift of
peace of mind.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your
Lord will come. … So you also must be ready, because the Son of
Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt. 24:42,
44). We do not know when the Lord will return, but we also don’t
know if he will take us to himself before he comes. Do you have
your affairs in order if God decides to take you sooner rather
than later?
Then he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against
all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance
of his possessions’ (Luke 12:15). A handful of years ago I heard
about Swedish Döstädning when I read Marareta Magnusson’s book The
Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. I was intrigued. As the
oldest of my 10 kids started leaving the house, the thought of
having my home the way I wanted it, with less stuff, made me
almost giddy.
Discover the Swedish art of Death Cleaning—a thoughtful approach
to decluttering your home and sharing cherished items with loved
ones before it's too late. Embrace this meaningful practice to
relieve your family of burdens and celebrate your memories.
Joanne Schreuders, a mother of ten and a homeschooler, shares her
inspiring journey of faith and resilience in her books, "Family at
Large" and "Doing It Well: Walking Through Cancer with Hope."
After overcoming a brain tumor and navigating the challenges of
raising a large family, Joanne rediscovered her passion for
writing, using it as a way to cope and help others. Her latest
work, inspired by her husband's battle with cancer, offers hope
and guidance for those facing similar struggles. Joanne's story is
one of unwavering faith, perseverance, and the power of community
support. Discover how she turned personal challenges into
opportunities to inspire others in this heartwarming article.
