Obituaries

Freeport

Albert A. Simpler, 92

Albert A. Simler, age 92 of Freeport, IL, passed away at home on Monday, February 1, 2021.

He was born June 4, 1928; the son of the late Conrad and Minnie (Meier) Simler. Albert married Betty Elgin on November 5, 1950 at First Lutheran Church in Freeport.

Albert and Betty farmed all their lives until retiring in 2008. Even after retirement, he enjoyed helping his sons on the farm. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Freeport and was a lifetime member of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau. He also served on the board of trustees for Freeport Rural Fire for 19 years. He enjoyed woodworking, making frames for the puzzles he put together. Albert also loved the outdoors, spending time gardening and taking care of the yard. Together, Albert and Betty took many trips. They traveled the world on bus tours and cruises. He loved spending time with family, especially at the family Christmas gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Freeport; children, David (Kathy) Simler of Freeport, Diane (Daylon) Niemann of Warren, IL, and Darius (Sherry) Simler of Pearl City, IL; daughter-in-law, Linda Simler of Lena; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; brother, Harold Simler of Freeport; and sister-in-law, Twila Simler of Pearl City, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Duane; grandson, Jered Simler; great granddaughter, Hanna Westfall; brothers, Stanley and Earl; and sister-in-laws, Nancy Simler and Edith Simler.

A private family service will be held at Walker Mortuary in Freeport. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established for First Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared at http://www.walkermortuary.com.

Dubuque

Anna Louise (Reusch) Appleby, 85

Anna Louise (Reusch) Appleby, age 85, of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Elizabeth and Stockton, IL, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 28, at Unity Point Health Center, Dubuque.

To honor Anna's wishes, a private family interment service will be held at a later date at Trinity Lutheran Church in Derinda, Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Anna was born April 18, 1935 in Derinda, to Carl and Lydia (Fahrion) Reusch. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Derinda. Anna married Glen Appleby on January 17, 1954.

Anna always enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Whether it was in person visits, calls and letters, or recently through online video sessions, she enjoyed sharing in what was happening.

She enjoyed music, and played the piano throughout her life, and was a church organist for many years. She enjoyed playing hymns, holiday music, or big-band tunes, playing often and regularly.

Another interest of Anna's was her Siamese cats. She took great pride in raising and showing cats for years, with a number of Grand Champions. She sold her kittens individually, or through pet stores, like Fabulous Felines in New York City.

After retiring from the Savanna Army Depot, she was able to spend more time with her horses. Whether it was caring for them, riding, or sharing them with her grandchildren, they were always part of her conversations.

Anna will be missed by her four sons, Roger (Deborah Nicholson) of Kansas City, Kansas, Rudy (Susan) of Salem, Oregon; Randy of Elizabeth, Illinois; and Ronny (Janice) of Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Five grandchildren; Jolene Appleby, Kimberly Appleby (Michael Simonsmeier), Tim Appleby, Megan Appleby (Spencer Schwartz), Stephanie Appleby, and seven great-grandchildren; and her brother, Raymond Reusch of Spokane, Washington and his family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Appleby, her parents, Carl and Lydia Reusch, a brother, Robert Reusch, a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Reusch, and a grandchild, Michele Appleby.

The family would like to thank the caring professionals at Luther Manor Communities and Unity Point Health Center, both in Dubuque, Iowa, for their compassionate care of Anna during her final years and days.

A memorial fund has been established. Memories and condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Dakota

Gary L. Wells, 84

Gary L. Wells, age 84 of Dakota, IL, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL.

He was born on August 3, 1936 in Dakota; the son of the late Lester and Alberta (Dornink) Wells. He was a 1954 graduate of Dakota High School. Gary married Jeanne Zimmerman on December 29, 1956.

When they were first married, Gary worked at Metal Specialties. He then took over the family farm until 1986 and worked for Klever Excavating. He served as the Dakota Township Road Commissioner for 34 years and volunteered for the Dakota Fire Department and was a member of Indian Grove Country Church of Rock City, IL. Gary enjoyed his bowling league on Thursday nights, a NASCAR race, and cup of coffee with a slice of pie with his friends. Gary and Jeanne enjoyed their annual trips out west, and was always up for a Sunday drive to scout the roads.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Wells of Dakota; children, Valerie (David) Goeke of Dakota, Tom (Marcia) Wells of Ridott, IL, Mark (Erin) Wells of Dakota, Chris (Tina) Wells of Dakota, and Andrea (Dorian) Haffelder of Fort Atkinson, WI; grandchildren, Lonelle, Tim, Curtis, Samantha, Ashley, Michael, Candace, Kassandra, Joey, Elwyn, Miranda, Brieanne, Sydney, Caleb, and Claire; 16 great grandchildren; brothers, Joel (Nancy) Wells of Davis, IL and Dennis (Karen) Wells of Dakota; sister-in-laws, Joanne (Jim) Yeoman of Dakota and Joyce (Garry) Leonard of Sandy, UT; brother-in-law, Vaughn (Sally) Zimmerman of Davis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; great granddaughter, Brynn Wells; father and mother-in-law, Russell & Edna Zimmerman; and special friend, Kenny Nott.

Private services will be held and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. A memorial fund has been established in his name.

Arrangements are being handled by the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home of Dakota. Condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.walkermortuary.com.

Browntown

Ronald R. Edler, 85

Ronald R. Edler, 85 of Monroe, Wi formally of Browntown, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, January 29, 2021 surrounded by his family.

He was born on April 21, 1935 in Freeport, IL to Earl and Peg (Gunder) Edler. He served his country in the United States Army from 1955-1957. He was married to Karine Buss and together had three children, and then he married Sandra which together they had a daughter. Ronald married Charlotte Foley in 1969 and they spent 43 years together before her passing in 2012.

Ronald was a lifetime farmer in the area of rural Browntown, WI. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, playing slow pitch softball, participating in dirt track racing in his younger years, playing pool, and he was in charge of the McAllen, Tx pool league. Ronald was a member of the Martintown Community Church and assisted the Cadiz Township for many years.

He is survived by his children- Kathy Tracy of Mesa, AZ, Craig (Katharine) Edler of Browntown, WI, Robert (Rebecca Miller) Edler of Juda, WI, Candy (Keith) Newcomer of Broadhead, WI; 11 grandchildren; 26 greatgrandchildren; sister-in-law Joyce Edler; and Charlottes family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Charlotte, brothers- Earl Jr. and James, sister Judy Mathis and sister-in-law Mary Kay Edler.

Funeral Service was held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the Martintown Community Church in Martintown, WI. Cremation rites accorded. Kevin Cernek officiated the services.

A memorial has been established his name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. leamonfh.com