OBITUARIES Genevieve Ellingson
Genevieve Ellingson, 93, of Poplar Grove, IL passed away March 11, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 28, 1927 in Dekalb, IL, the daughter of Hugh and Stella (Holiday) Voorhies. Genevieve was a 1946 graduate of Belvidere High School. She married the love of her life, Donald F. Ellingson, on June 22, 1946 at Poplar Grove United Methodist Church. She was a lifelong farmer, but more importantly, she was a mother to four wonderful children. Genevieve was a founding member of the Merry Milk Maids and a dedicated 4-H Leader. She was a member of the PTA, the Farm Bureau Women, and Homemakers. Genevieve enjoyed hosting school field trips, family celebrations, and dairy breakfasts. She coached the Dairy Bowl teams and took them all the way to State and then Nationals. She was also very active in planning for events and reunions for the class of 1946. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family, and she will be missed by all those who knew her. Genevieve will be dearly missed by her children, Robert (Sandra Brockmann) Ellingson, Terry (Kay) Ellingson, Denny (Janet) Ellingson, and William (Wendy) Ellingson; grandchildren, John (Toni) Ellingson, Brian (Renee) Ellingson, Michael (Mary) Ellingson, Rebecca Ellingson Wydra, Ted (Lara) Ellingson, Steve (Natalie) Ellingson, and Matt Ellingson; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, James Voorhies, Mary Lou Voorhies, Donna Knox, and Joyce Queen; sister-in-law, Viola Voorhies; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and her siblings, Hugh Voorhies, Jennetta Totz, Jack Voorhies, Shirley Rubert, Annabelle Swanson, Robert Voorhies, and Judy Fisk. The family would like to extend a special thank you to OSF hospice, especially, Mary, Kim, and Jana, for their unending love and support during Genevieve’s final days. The family would also like to recognize Lily, Jurga, and Laura M for their comfort and care. All memorial contributions in Genevieve’s honor may be donated to OSF Rockford Hospice, 9951 Rock Cut Crossing, Loves Park, IL 61111, or to Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, 105 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove, IL 61065.
Shirley A. Zehr
Shirley A. Zehr, 89, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, April 1, 2021, at 8:14 a.m. at Evenglow Lodge Tjardes Health Center, Pontiac, IL. Shirley was born September 8, 1931, in Pontiac, IL to Adrian “Donald” and Anna (Carstens) Gregory. She married Donald L. Zehr on October 1, 1950. He preceded her in death on July 6, 2019. Surviving are her children, Carol (Skip) Jones of Gridley, IL, Lynn (Mona) Zehr of Graymont, IL, Gary (Tricia) Zehr of Pontiac, IL, Lori (Jeff) Bohm of Graymont, IL, and Jan (Jim) Girard of Pontiac, IL; grandchildren, Heather (Bryan Long) Jones, Brandon (Cathy) Jones, Katie (John) Goulden, Brandey (Mikey) Morse, Amanda (Kim Verdun) Bohm, Russell Zehr, Danny (Courtney) Zehr, Addie (Lucas) Folkerts, Adam (Amanda Schumm) Girard, Rosalee Zehr, and Wyatt Zehr; and great grandchildren, Madelyn, Charlee, Chandler, Ian, Alexa, Aria, Jasmin, Ethan, Brianna, Jayden and Cheyenne. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Don. Shirley was educated in Graymont Schools and a graduate of Pontiac Township High School. She was a lifelong farming wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed raising her family and helping with the family farm. Shirley was a member of Graymont Baptist Church her entire life and was the nursery teacher there for over 35 years. She was a member of the Neighborhood Card Club in Cornell, IL and the Pinochle Club where she enjoyed playing every month for over 60 years. She was also a member of the Rooks Creek Home Extension and served on many church boards and committees through the years. Shirley was an avid seamstress. She enjoyed growing a big garden for canning and doing crafts of many kinds. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Graymont or the Livingston County Ag Fair.
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Pauline Erbsen
Pauline Marie Erbsen, 84, of Lanark went to be with her Lord on April 28th, 2021. She was born December 29, 1936 in Lanark, IL, daughter of Paul & Blanche (Guenzler) Diffenderfer. She married Kenneth Erbsen on August 4, 1957 in Lanark. Pauline graduated from Lanark High School in 1954. Her first job was at Zentner Drug Store where she met Kenneth. Upon marriage her and Kenneth became full time dairy farmers, working side by side until his death in 1994. She and her family continued the farming operation and development of Erbacres Holsteins. She was an active member of the Lanark First Brethren Church where she served as a deaconess, member of Women’s Missionary Circle, and sang in the choir. She also served as a 4-H Leader and was involved in many agricultural activities throughout Carroll County. Along with her family, she was an active member of the Illinois Holstein Association and was honored with their Distinguished Service Award in 2010. Pauline welcomed many international guests into her home over the years and maintained lifelong friendships with these young people. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, baking, and serving others. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Survivors include her six children: Paula (Rick) Bovre, Fond du Lac, WI, Kathleen (Bob) Opperman, Rockford, IL, Kevin (Wendy) Erbsen, John Erbsen, and Carl (Becky) Erbsen, all of Lanark, IL, and Carla (Jon) Mickey, Taylorville, IL, nine grandchildren: Justin (Brenda) Opperman, Megan (fiance Travis Schafer), Connor, Nathan, Nevin, Payton, Delana Erbsen, Tanner and Drew Mickey, and six great-grandchildren: Adalynn, Leighton, Willah, Justus, Evers, and Haddon Opperman. She is also survived by sisters MaryAnne (Bill) Dailey, Alice (Dave) Nix, and Janet Gruhn, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, parents Paul & Blanche Diffenderfer, and in-laws Theodore & Emma Erbsen. A memorial has been established in Pauline’s memory.
Elmon L. Koch
Elmon L. Koch, 89, of Tremont, passed away on May 3, 2021, at home. He was born in Tremont, IL, on June 1, 1931 to Dan and Mary (Baurer) Koch. He spent nearly all of his life working on the family farm where he was born, first with his brother Dan and sons, and later with his own sons, Kappy and Chuck, and grandsons. The farm has been in the family since 1893 and is a registered Centennial Farm. He attended Antioch School through 8th grade and then graduated from Tremont High School in 1949. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. In 1958, he took over ownership of the family farm with his brother Dan. He spent his life building the family dairy from 20 to over 275 milking cows. He came to the farm every day he physically could until the very end. The dairy remains a top performing farm today. He married Janice Bolliger from Tremont on March 18, 1956. God blessed them with 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He put his faith in Jesus as a young man and was an active member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Tremont all his life. He enjoyed serving on the Tremont Historical Society Board. His hobbies included collecting marbles and dairy-related antiques. His family will especially miss his kind heart, his sense of humor, and hearing performances of I’m an Old Cowhand and Darling Nelly Gray. Surviving are his wife, Janice; five children: Paula (Marv) Wagenbach, Kappy (Gayle) Koch, Chuck (Cathy) Koch and Luci Koch all residing in Tremont and Marie (Andy) Williams of Carmel, IN; seventeen grandchildren: (Paula) Lucy Kaiser, Megan Fehr, Nathan and Bethany Wagenbach, (Kappy) Ryan, Sean, and Brody Koch, (Chuck) Lori, Heidi, Elsie Stoller, Angie Schick, and Andrew Koch, (Marie) Hannah, Rose, and Gabe Williams, and (Luci) A’laya and Robert Koch; and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Dan (Carol) Koch of Morton, IL and one sister Carolyn Bolliger of Tremont. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Vi Koch and Miriam Frank, and eight brothers: Ralph, Dave, Cleo, Gene, Jesse, Vernon, Gerald and Jim Koch. Memorial donations may be made to Gateway Woods in Leo, IN or the Midwest Food Bank in Normal, IL. Summer 2021
