Obituaries

Stockton

Helen R. Finn, 99

Nurse, WWII veteran and cherished aunt, Helen Rita Finn, 99, passed away Friday, Feb 12, 2021 at Presence St. Joseph Center in Freeport IL.

Helen was born in Pleasant Valley, IL to Steve and Ella (Carroll) Finn, the fifth of six children. She attended Neutral Ridge and Holy Cross schools, graduating from Stockton High in 1939. Starting her nursing training at St. Francis Hospital in Freeport, she graduated in June 1942 and was employed at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, WI.

During WWII she enlisted in the Army in May 1944 where she was commissioned second lieutenant. In July 1944, Lt. Finn sailed for England and was stationed in an Army hospital in London. She spoke of returning to the United States on the Queen Mary. Helen was very proud of her service to our country.

Later, she moved to the Milwaukee area, where she continued nursing until her retirement. Helen was one of the first to become a nurse anesthetist in Wisconsin, an opportunity to advance in her field.

Helen often came home when not working to help her elderly parents and interact with her many nieces and nephews. We could always count on her to correct us!

Upon retiring, she moved to Rockford, IL for many years before making her way to Oakley Courts in Freeport in May 2010. This was her home until February 2020 when health issues necessitated the move to Presence St. Joseph’s.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, an occasional brandy old-fashioned sweet or later in life, a sugar free iced coffee. Helen followed the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls along with many family sporting events.

Helen descended from a long line of “feisty” Irish women and she was often described the same way by those who knew her and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings and their spouses, Mildred (Stanley) Powers, Carl (Annalou) Finn, Joseph (Mildred) Finn, Dorothy (Kenneth)Raih, Eugene (June)Finn and a nephew Robert J. Finn.

She is survived by 18 nieces and nephews and their families, Jerry (Valerie) Powers, Arlene Pasek, Joanne Scotch, Julene Finn-Askins, William (Maggie) Finn, Thomas (Brenda) Finn, Carole Richter, Dr. Tom (Mollie) Raih, Gregory (Mollie) Raih, Daniel (Jean) Raih, Deanna (Tom Ewing) Raih, Natalie (Chris) Hack, Kristine Finn, Scott Finn, Timothy (Lauren) Finn, Van Patrick (Laura) Finn, Kathleen (Randall) Kruse, Colleen (Karl) Finn-Henze and Robert Finn’s widow Nancy Finn.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton.

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

Damien Grube, 34

Damien Grube, age 34 of Stockton, IL passed away Monday, February 15, 2021 at home.

He was born March 2, 1986 in Dubuque, IA to David and Peggy (Girot) Grube. Damien married Casi Pfile on April 22, 2017.

He was a 2004 graduate of River Ridge High School. He loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. Damien was always listening to music, whether it was heavy metal or country western, he didn’t care. He had a passion for taking broken cars and fixing them up. Most of all, Damien loved his family, especially his children and all the nieces and nephews. He had a heart of gold and would be the first to give a helping hand when needed and would always stick up for the underdogs.

Damien is survived by his wife, Casi Grube; his parents, David and Peggy Grube; his children, Bryce Grube, Brayden Downs, and Melody Grube; his brother, Matt (Tarin) Grube; his sisters, Tiffany (David Pfile) Hatfield, Paige (Alyssa) Brickl and Katie (William) Longmore; his grandparents, Margaret and Robert Ferrell and William and Mae Ann Hatfield; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Christine and Michael Blair. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Meldon and Evelyn Grube.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There will be a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com

Shannon

Roger Allen Sneek Sr. 75

Roger Allen Sneek, Sr., age 75 of Shannon, IL passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL.

He was born July 25, 1945 in Freeport to the late Christian and Anna (Dooyen) Sneek. Roger married Glenda Bruns on June 17, 1966 in Lena, IL.

He was a member of Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church. Roger was a 1963 graduate of Shannon High School. He farmed in the Shannon area his whole life. He loved his family and his pets.

Roger is survived by his wife, Glenda Sneek of Shannon; his daughter, Michelle (Joanne LaBudde) Sneek of Freeport; his son, Roger (Barb) Sneek, Jr. of Shannon; his grandchildren, Jessica, Brian, Grace, and Evan of Shannon and Megan (Brian) Spradlin of German Valley and his four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jeffery Sneek.

A private family service will be held. Interment will take place at Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Lena

Donald E. Broge, 90

Donald E. Broge, 90, of Lena, IL passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Monroe, WI.

Donald was born on September 27, 1930 to Lester and Margaret (Tieman) Broge in Waddams Grove. Don married Shelby Mau on April 17, 1954 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. They were blessed with one son, Steve (Cheri) Broge of Monroe, WI; granddaughter Stacey (Corey) Steinmann of Monroe, WI; grandson Jeremy (Toni) Broge of Browntown WI; four grad-grandchildren; Tana Steinmann, Aleta, Alyssa, and Alex Broge; brother Glenn (Nancy) Broge; sister Ruth Kleckner; and a very special nephew Russel Yeager.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shelby in 2016; sister Glenda Yeager; brothers-in-law Herbert Yeager and Richard Kleckner.

Don and Shelby purchased their farm in 1955 and took great pride in farming together for 55 years in the Winslow area until retiring in 2000. Don served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making sure that they were all being taken care of, and always loved looking for the best deal he could find.

Private graveside services will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in his memory. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Pearl City

Robert Allen Janssen, 76

Robert Allen Janssen (Bob), age 76 of Pearl City, IL passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 at UW Madison Hospital in Madison, WI.

He was born in Freeport, IL on June 14, 1944 to the late Allen and Rose (Kniss) Janssen. Robert married Linda Julius on March 28, 1970 in Altamont, IL.

Bob, or BJ to most, graduated from Pearl City High School in 1962. He worked for Shannon Elevator and Ralph Guentner before becoming self-employed. He was a cattle dealer for most of his life and was also known for auto body repair.

In BJ’s younger years he was also known as “Crash”. Those who knew him then can tell you why. BJ enjoyed playing basketball and softball, playing in many different leagues until the ripe old age of 60 when he finally retired his cleats.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His pride and love for his family was evident in everything he did, whether it was attending a sporting event, fixing a car, showing cattle, being at Grandparents Day or just spending time together. Gramps was always there for his family.

BJ had a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. A perfect day for him would be spending the day on the water (but definitely not in the water), fishing with family or friends or running his hunting dogs, looking for coyotes with all of his hunting friends. When BJ wasn’t hunting, he enjoyed a good game of cards or watching a classic Western.

His white hair, bright blue eyes, big smile and his laugh will be remembered with love and deeply missed.

Bob is survived by the love of his life of over 50 years, Linda Janssen of Pearl City; his daughter, Joanne (Kurt) Snyder of Lena; his sons, Sean Janssen, Brian (Jill) Janssen and Brett Farnsworth; his grandchildren, Jesse (Holly Alber) Snyder, Jacob (Caitlynn Greve) Snyder, Kendra (Tyler) Morgan, Blake Janssen, Reid Janssen, Joseph Janssen, Caleb (Chloe Duncan) Janssen, Nicholas Janssen, Harlee (Kevin) Robinson, David (Sarah) Farnsworth and Abby Farnsworth; his great grandchildren, Carmen Strohecker, Easton Morgan, Hannah Farnsworth, Rosalie Farnsworth and Wrenly Snyder; his brother, Darius (Linda) Janssen; his niece, Amy (Steve) Dascher and their family and his nephew, Chris (Jody) Janssen and their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Rose, and his sister, Ann Janssen.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hermann Funeral Home in Pearl City. There was a visitation before the service beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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