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Leona Faye Thayer
"A garden dwells within my heart
And there a single flower grows
A heaven created work of art
Like a perfect petal from
a perfect rose"
An Ode to My Wife - by David Thayer
The perfect rose now blooms in heaven. Leona Gaye Thayer, a long time resident of Dundee who had recently moved to Nevis, Minnesota, died Sunday, February 22, 2004 at Sherman West Court in Elgin, Illinois of complications from Parkinson's Disease. She was 82.
Mrs. Thayer was born June 14, 1921 in Britt, Iowa, the daughter of George and Ethel Oakes. She lived in Iowa throughout her childhood years, moving to California after World War II to work for her cousin. She was living in Oakland, California when she fell in love with a young pilot named David Thayer, who had just returned from service overseas and who also happened to be from Iowa. David finally convinced the young Leona to say yes, and the two were united in marriage July 10, 1949.
After moving to the Chicago area with her new husband, Leona enjoyed her life as a homemaker while her husband flew for Delta Airlines. The family moved to Dundee in 1965, where she became known as Lee to her friends. Every summer the family traveled to their lake-front cabin in Northern Minnesota. As her husband commuted back and forth to Illinois for his job, Lee ensured her children had magical summers by the lake.
After their children moved away from home, Lee and her husband began spending more time at their Minnesota property, and eventually built their retirement home there. Lee spent her later years at the lake, where she enjoyed occasional trips to the casinos to play the slot machines. Her husband was absolutely devoted to her, he wrote poetry for her and regularly left notes around the house telling Lee how much he loved her.
Mrs. Thayer is survived by her husband; three children, Cindy Thayer German of Dundee, Rick (Chris) Thayer of Beaver Falls, PA and Tracey (Wilson) Mohr of St. Charles; six grandchildren, Chris (KeriAnn) German of Duluth, MN, Kelley (Chris) Blomer of Two Harbors, MN, Scott (fiancee, Katie Tumelty) German of Dundee, David Thayer of Beaver Falls and Lauren Mohr and Spencer Mohr both of St. Charles; she is also survived by her sister, Norma Anderson of Oceanside, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 26, 2004 at 1 PM at the First Congregational Church of Dundee with Rev. Pamela Pendexter officiating. Donations in Mrs. Thayer's memory may by made to the First Congregational Church of Dundee, 417 West Main St., Dundee, IL, 60118. (847-426-2161).
Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. for info, call: 847-426-3436.
Aaron Walter
Aaron Walter, 25, of South Elgin, was born December 1978, died Friday, February 20, 2004 in Normal, IL. An honors graduate of Larkin High School in Elgin, Aaron graduated Suma Cum Laude from Illinois State University, double majoring in International Relations Governmental Studies as well as Art. Both allowed Aaron to express his unique, insightful perspective on the world. His appetite for meeting people and discussing deep topics affecting people's lives couldn't be quenched. His art went beyond the superficial and often spoke to the heart. His Master's degree and Doctoral studies were to follow so he could equip a generation of teachers, his chosen way of affecting change in the world. His parents, Dan and Cathy Walter and his sisters, Kerri and Kelli Whipple, of whom he was so proud and boasted so often, will miss him immeasurably. No one could have been more loved, or have given more love in return to those he cared for.
His family also includes a brother, Joseph Wright of Cortland, IL; his grandmother, Louise Lira; Gary Walter of Chicago, Dave (Ruth) Walter, Don (Renee) Walter both of Aurora, Brian McMaster of Rock Island, IL, Jean (Tom) Leis of Crystal Lake, Mike (Sue) Lira and Mark Lira of Elgin and Vicki (Stan) Siegrist of El Paso, TX; as well as many cousins and a nephew; His half brothers Nick, Jake and Max of Arizona and his birth mother, Katherine also survive him.
Grandparents, Vince and Bea Walter, Lupe Lira; and his aunt Kathy (Brian) McMaster preceded him in death.
A visitation and memorial service celebrating the life of Aaron Walter, will be held Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St. (Rt. 31) in Elgin, IL. Visitation will begin at 4 PM with the memorial service to follow at 7:30 PM led by Pastor Mike Frantz of First Baptist Church of Elgin.
In lieu of flowers, Aaron would have preferred you help someone who cannot possibly help you in return. Donations may also be made in his memory to Westminster Christian School in Elgin or World Vision honoring his education and his desire to help those most in need.
Slobodan Ivanovic
Slobodan Ivanovic, 84, of Elgin passed away Thursday, February 21, 2002 at Sherman West Court, Elgin.
He was born August 13, 1917 in Yugoslavia.
He was a member of Most Holy Mother of God Gracanica Monastery, Grayslake. He was a long time resident of Elgin and formerly employed at W.R. Meadows for over 40 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ilse Ann (Hartzer); two sons, Peter (Denise) of Elgin and Nick (Sigrid) of GA; grandchildren, Zackary, Alexander, Nicholas, Anna, Kathrin and Tonja.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Djordje.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 26 at 11 AM at Most Holy Mother of God Gracanica Monastery, Grayslake. Burial will be in Most Holy Mother of God cemetery, Grayslake.
Visitation will be Monday form 5 to 9 PM with Prayer Service at 7 PM at Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park St., Elgin.
Louise Knecht
Louise Knecht, 93, of Elgin, formerly of Rockford and Morton Grove, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2002 at the Apostolic Christian Resthaven Nursing Home, Elgin.
She was born July 31, 1908 in Peoria, IL, the daughter of John and Ann Gerber.
Louise was a loving mother, grandmother and sister and will be missed by all. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of Hillside.
Surviving are her daughter, Penny (John) France of Caledonia, IL; son, John (Beth) Knecht of Chicago; five grandchildren, Andrew, Sarah and Allison France, John and Heather Knecht; two sisters, Helen Reynolds of Oklahoma City, OK and Leah Freidinger of Watseka, IL; and a brother, Louis (Doris) Gerber of South Bend, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Knecht in 1974; a son, Ernie Knecht; a sister; and four brothers.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesay at 10 AM at the Apostolic Christian Church, Hillside. Burial will be in Eden cemetery, Schiller Park.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5 to 9 PM at the Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Apostolic Christian Church, Belvidere, IL or the Apostolic Christian Resthaven Nursing Home, Elgin.
Robert "Marty" Schnell
Robert "Marty" Schnell, 63, of St. Charles, died suddenly on Saturday evening, February 23, 2002, while enroute to his home.
He was born November 20, 1938 in Melrose Park, Illinois, the son of Carl and Hattie (Walger) Schnell.
He served in the United States Army during the Korean and the Vietnam War. His community service included Past President of the St. Charles Historical Society, a Cub Scout Leader of Troop #151 and Boy Scout Leader of Troop #51; Past Commander of St. Charles VFW #5036, Illinois State Drug Prevention Officer for the St. Charles VFW, Past Officer of Fox River Valley Chapter VietNow, St. Charles American Legion Post #342; a member of United States Steel Worker Local #7495; organizer and first President of Illinois Chapter of Germans from Russia. Bob served eight years as a Precinct Committeeman in St. Charles and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles. He retired after 29 years of service at U. S. Can Company in Elgin. Being the "people person" Bob was, upon retirement, he had already begun working at Sam's Club in Batavia. He also loved his four-legged furry children!
Mr. Schnell is survived by his loving wife of almost 38 years, Patricia (McCrum); his children, David Schnell of Venice Beach, California, Daniel Schnell of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kathleen (James) Klus of Kingston, Illinois, Marty Schnell of St. Charles and Debbie Schnell; eight grandchildren, Karen Schnell, Amy Hernandez, Matthew Hernandez, Diane Schnell, Michael Klus, Alan Klus, Carie Owen and Bobby Owen; a great granddaughter, Madison Nicole Hernandez; his sister, Sandy (Wally) Toerpe of Plainfield and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at the Norris Funeral Home, 100 S. Third Street, St. Charles with Pastor Jane Kunzie-Brunner officiating. Burial will be in Union cemetery, St. Charles.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at the Norris Funeral Home.
Walter J. Ansted, Jr.
Walter J. Ansted, Jr., age 72, of South Elgin, IL died Sunday, February 23, 2003 at his home in South Elgin, IL. He was born April 16, 1930 in Chicago to Walter A. and Marie (Kwilosz) Ansted, Sr.
Walter was a lifetime PGA member. He worked at various golf courses throughout his career which spanned from 1957 to the present. He was given a lifetime membership to the PGA for his dedication to the game of golf. Teaching golf was one of the greatest joys of his life. Walter was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Jaqueline (Riley) Ansted, whom he married
on February 19, 1955, two sons, Walter J. Ansted, III of Westchester and Daniel J. (Jacqueline) Ansted of Westchester, his daughters, Mary (Michael) Loechner of S. Elgin and Eileen (Colin) Fleury of Hampshire, his grandchildren, Jeff, Caroline, Ellen, Olivia Mason, Logan Cameron and Aiden and many nieces and nephews.
preceded in death by his parents and his brother Eugene.
Funeral will take place Wednesday, February 26 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Miroslaw A. Reikowski officiating. Interment will be private. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 25, between 4-8 p.m. at the Wait Ross Allanson Elgin Chapel. Memorials may be directed to the Illinois PGA Junior Golf Program.
George Martin Bohlig
George Martin Bohlig, 101, of Minneapolis, MN passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2003 in Minneapolis. He was born October 5, 1901 in St. Cloud, MN, the son of George and Magdalena Hiltel Bohlig. He had worked as a civil engineer for the State of Illinois Highway Department before retiring.
Surviving are his four sons, George E. (Joan) Bohlig of Eagan, MN, Robert M. Bohlig of Cambridge, MA, James W. (Freddie Ann) Bohlig of Shrewsbury, VT and John H. Bohlig of Phoenix, AZ, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Evelyn R. on November 23, 1998.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 27, 2003, 11 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin with Rev. Larry Pickens officiating. Laird Funeral Home, Elgin is in charge of arrangements.
Kelly L. Brockner
Kelly L. Brockner, 32, of Elgin passed away Saturday, February 22, 2003 in Elgin from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born July 17, 1970 in Elgin the daughter of Phillip "Pat" and Judith Sphatt Brockner. She had been a resident of South Elgin and Elgin all of her life. She was a graduate of Larkin High School in 1988 and Northern Illinois University in 1999. She had been employed by Menards in Elgin for eight years and was currently employed by First Community Bank in Elgin. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin. She loved to snowmobile and to garden.
Surviving are her mother and stepfather, Judy and Ed Fitchie of South Elgin, father, Pat Brockner of Elgin, fiance, Anton Kossakowski of Elgin, brothers Andrew Brockner of Colorado and Nathan (Jeannette) Fitchie of Elgin, sister Bethany Fitchie (Joel Aromi) of South Elgin, three uncles, Stanley (Shirley) Sphatt of Elgin, Tom (Janice) Brockner of Elgin and James "Wally" (Beth) Wallmuth of York, PA, many cousins, close friend Becky Jurs and the Kossakowski family.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Roscoe and Josephine Brockner and Edward and Florence Sphatt, aunts Mary Wallmuth, Collete Mahle, Beverly Geldmacher and Peggy Sphatt, uncle Don Geldmacher and cousin Steve Sphatt.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Elgin with Rev. Olin Sletto officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Laird Funeral Home, Elgin and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Jim Thorpe Association or Ray Graham Association for Developed Mentally Disabled.
Alfred W. Collier
Alfred W. Collier, 73, of Elgin, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 19, 2003. He was surrounded by family in the comfort of his home.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Joy; four children, John (Si) Collier, William (Sandy) Collier, Patricia (Terry) Schultz, Susan (Barton) Panther; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his older siblings, Worley Orville Collier, Anna Mildred O'Dell, Alice Lenora Jones and Margaret Kathryn Evers and their families. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn and Worley Collier; and his brother, Paul.
Mass Of The Resurrection will be held Tuesday, February 25 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 215 Thomas More Drive, Elgin at 11:00 am. Visitation will precede Mass at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 500 North Dearborn, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60610.
Donald A. Dowden
Donald Albert Dowden, 91, of Outing, MN died Thursday, February 13, 2003 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby, MN. He was born September 26, 1911 in Cambridge Village to Albert and Mathilda (Anderson) Dowden. He worked for 30 years as a machinist with McGraw Edison Co. in Elgin. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Swanberg, MN.
Survivors include a niece, Marlys Korman, of Outing, MN; a great-nephew, a great-niece, and three great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Harold Dowden.
Services were February 16 at the Cambridge Lutheran cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church in Swanberg, MN. Arrangements are with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby, MN.
