Obituaries

Stockton

Marlene Ann Dorich, 84

Marlene Ann Dorich, age 84, of Stockton, IL passed away Sunday, August 21, 2022. She was born April 15, 1938 in Chicago, IL to the late Harvey and Hilda (Kruger) Bailey.

Marlene had a vibrant career at the Village of Bridgeview. She started out in the Water Department, then moved on to the Public Works and then she was the Manager of the Golf Sports Dome. She was a member of the Active party, a Precinct captain and was always helping people with food, shelter, caring for animals and present in her children’s life. She would decorate the Village Hall with flowers and was known as the “flower fairy”.

Marlene met the love of her life while at the Golf Sports Dome; Gerald Dorich. He would bring her candy and flowers, but she would tell him I cannot eat that. Well, he finally asked her to go out on Saint Patrick’s Day to Bourbon Street and she said yes. They were engaged within a year and married October 13, 2007. Mom retired and moved out to Stockton, IL to start their lives together. They golfed, lunched, took rides in his mini cooper, went to Indy Car races and took in stray cats. They were very happy. They would socialize with all their friends that lived in Galena. Jerry was a romantic and would always write her beautiful letters.

She loved shopping, gardening, flowers, walking the beach, collecting egg beaters, and feeding stray cats. She would always have her birds fed on her patio. She canned tomatoes and loved to cook. She would watch the Hallmark channel, Family Feud, Nascar, and all Sports. She loved puzzling, drawing and coloring. She was fun to have around and social person who carried about people.

Marlene was great at keeping touch via text and the mail. She would send beautiful cards with great messages of inspiration and hope. She was a special woman who cared about her children, extended family, grandchildren and people in the neighborhood.

She will be greatly missed but her spirit lives on.

Marlene is survived by her sons, John Nelson and Ron Nelson, Jr .; her daughters, April (Jim) Giertych and Ann Marie (Ryan Zarzecki) Jonkman; her grandchildren, Jenny (Matt) Fawcett, Rachel (Scott) Greenawalt and Renae Giertych; her great grandson, Maddox Fawcett; her sister, Elsie (Jim) Jerozal; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her three brothers.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton. There was a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Irma Anita Zueger, 94

Irma Anita Zueger, age 94, of Stockton, IL passed away Friday, August 19, 2022 at FHN Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on July 19, 1928 in Jackson, MI to the late Jurg and Selena (Graf) Jenatsch. At the age of two, the family moved back to Switzerland where she grew up. She came to the U.S. in June of 1955 and met Heinz on September 10, 1955 at Cheese Days in Monroe, WI. They were married on January 12, 1956 in Haggenschwil, Switzerland.

After their marriage, Heinz and Irma settled in Stockton, IL. Irma was a homemaker and together they raised their five children. Once her children were grown, Irma went to work in the office Apple Canyon Egg Farm. Irma and Heinz spent over 20 years wintering in Palm Springs, CA and traveling to Switzerland each year to visit family and friends.

Irma served as President of Stockton Women’s Club. She was a member of Women’s Home Extension for over 60 years and President of Altar & Rosary at Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was also an Instructor of Diet Workshop and Stockton Food Pantry Coordinator for 30 + years. In her earlier years, she was a very skilled seamstress and knitter. She enjoyed reading and working on Swiss crossword puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Jurg and Reto. She is survived by her husband Heinz of 66 years, two daughters Susanne (Dennis) Young of Stockton, Cynthia Broshous of Waukee, IA, three sons William (Dixie) of Stockton, Daniel (Becky) Davis, IL, Timothy (Lori) of Stockton IL, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and special cousin Erwin (Laurie) Zueger of Stockton also her twin sister, Selena and sister Bigna of Switzerland.

The funeral service was held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. There was also a visitation at the church on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial fund has been established with FHN Hospice and Stockton Food Pantry. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com

Freeport

Alice Mae Geissberger (Bronkema), 80

Alice Mae Geissberger (Bronkema), age 80 of Freeport, IL, passed away on Thursday August 18, 2022 at Manor Court in Freeport. She was born August 18, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa, to John and Shirley (Drury) Bronkema. She graduated from Lena Winslow High School in 1960. She married Robert Geissberger on August 31, 1963, at Lena Methodist Church. Alice worked at Economy Fire and Casualty, Kelly Springfield, Furst McNess and Microswitch. In 1977 Alice graduated from Highland Community College with a degree in nursing. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for 24 years at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She retired in 2001 after receiving a kidney transplant at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. She enjoyed reading, watching TV, and spending time with her cats.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years Robert Geissberger of Freeport, daughter Dawn Geissberger of Freeport, brothers: Wayne (Mary) Bronkema and Merle (Marie) Bronkema of Pearl City, IL; and Paul (Evelyn) Bronkema of Stockton, IL; sisters: Wilma (Adlai) Hitman, Faye (Fred) Scheider and Cheryl Bronkema all of Freeport, IL, sister Evelyn (Dennis) Elmer of Dakota, IL, and sister Diane (Lavern) Akins of South Wayne, WI; sister-in-law Dolores (Ron) Thompson of Dixon, IL, sister-in-law Evelyn (Bill) Cipri of Monroe, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Shirley Bronkema, brothers Morrie Bronkema and Lyle Bronkema; sisters-in-law Judy Bronkema, Molly Bronkema, and Olive (Boyd) Geissberger; brothers-in-law Adlai Hiteman, Godfrey Geissberger and Bill Cipri.

In lieu of services, a Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date. Interment is at Monticello Cemetery in Monticello, WI. Schwarz Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Lanark

Bonnie Rose Mader, 92

Bonnie Rose Mader, 92, of Lanark, IL, passed away on August 22, 2022. She was born February 3, 1930 in Deaconess Hospital in Freeport, IL, the daughter of Glenn and Esther (Finifrock) Mader. She lived in the Lanark area until the family moved to a farm in the Loran Pearl City area in 1939, where she lived until moving into Lanark in 1989. She attended country schools. Became a member of the Yellow Creek Church of the Brethren in 1942. She later attended Berreman Church of God for 29 years. Since moving to Lanark has attended different area churches.

She was preceded in death by her mother on September 13, 1980, her father on September 4, 1986, and brother Harry on May 18, 2008.

Survivors include one nephew William Koester, three great nieces: Misty, Danyell, and Kelly; one great, great niece Arianna, and one great, great nephew Ryan, a special cousin Ellis Applegate of Shelbyville, special second cousins: Linda Loxterman of Porter, Texas and Rita Davis of Clifton, Texas.

Funeral service was held on Monday August 29, 2022 at 10 AM, at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark, IL. Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 AM. Rev. Robert Phelps of the Berreman Church of God will officiate. Interment at Lanark City Cemetery.