Obituaries

Lake Carroll

Joanne Louise Donovan, 81

Joanne Louise Donovan, age 81, formerly of Lake Carroll, IL passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023 after a long illness. She was born on August 23,1941 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Helen Sehr. Joanne was a 1960 graduate of West High School in Rockford. She married Patrick Donovan on October 5, 1963 and together they raised three children. Her husband preceded her in death on May 17, 2011.

She was a member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon and the Freeport Painting Club. She was a CNA at Rockford Memorial in rehabilitation for over twenty years. Joanne loved garage sales, bargain shopping especially at “The Joint.” antiques, painting, cooking, baking, and spending family time with her children and grandchildren. She loved decorating her home with roses and dainty country decor. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and over the years she and Patrick traveled to Alaska, England, Ireland, and Scotland. She became the “fisherman’s wife” cooking hearty country breakfasts to a full kitchen table of fisherman and friends of Lake Carroll.

She is survived by her son, Steven (Kim) Donovan; her daughters, Pamela (Jeffrey) Klarman and Katherine Donovan; her grandchildren, Christopher Klarman, Brittni (Nicholas) Malady, Danielle Ellis, Natalie (Gregory) Clough, Emily Klarman, Nicholas Ellis, and Betsy Donovan (finance Daniel); her great grandchildren, Brayden, Ireland, and Olivia; and her sister, Helen Powers and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Patrick.

The family would like to thank Azura Memory Care in Beloit, Wisconsin for their outstanding care for the past couple years and to Agrace Hospice for their compassion and comfort in her final months.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Wendelin Catholic Cemetery with a luncheon following at the church. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com

Mokena/Lena

Elinor “Kay” Erickson, 82

Elinor "Kay" Erickson, nee Rice, age 82, late of Lena, IL, formally Mokena, IL.

Loving wife of Darrell Erickson. Loving mom of Mary (Tony) Velcich, Glen "Gus" (Lisa) Erickson, Amy (the late Hiram) Wurf, and the late Kent Erickson. Cherished Nana, Patrick (Kara) Erickson, Katie (Tommy Sargis) Erickson, Nicholas (Emma Gordon) Velcich, Jessica (Ryan Dillavou) Velcich, Megan Wurf, Joel Wurf, and Great-Nana of Emersyn. Sister of the late Joanne Racinowski, and sister-in-law of Duane (Beverly) Erickson, Douglas (Anne) and the late Darwin (Debra) Erickson, and the late Danny Erickson. Caring aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Saturday April 29, 2023, at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 19604 Wolf Road, Mokena, IL from 10:00 am until the time of service at Noon. Interment will be in St. Johns Cemetery, Mokena, IL.

McConnell

Daryl Eldon Rackow, 71

Daryl Eldon Rackow, age 71, died on April 23, 2023 at Monroe Health Services in Monroe, WI.

Daryl was born on January 16, 1952 to Eldon and Lucille (Miller) Rackow, the oldest of five children; Diane (Tom) Low, Cindy Rackow, Laurie (Alan) Boeck, and Tim (Lisa) Rackow. He married Patricia Mick on December 26, 1972 and had four children; Jesse, Daniel (Courtney), Brandy, and Christopher (Rikkie Johnson), many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Daryl served his country in the United States Army Reserves. During his life he farmed with his dad, drove semi and milk trucks, and owned his own upholstery business; Turtle Upholstery. Daryl was also a firefighter for the McConnell Fire Department. He later married Debra Golackson on April 17, 2021.

Daryl is survived by his wife Debra, four children, including his “favoritest daughter”, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Monroe, WI. A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of services on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the church. Pastor Ewings will officiate the services.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

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

Warren

Donna Feltmeyer, 91

Donna Feltmeyer, age 91, of Warren passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Galena, Illinois. Donna was born on January 22, 1932 to Roy and Edna (Ferry) Downs. She married Paul Feltmeyer on December 6, 1951 in Stockton, Illinois.

Donna farmed alongside her husband Paul, and together they raised five children. In her younger years, Donna and Paul enjoyed dancing, snowmobiling, playing softball, and playing cards. She enjoyed gardening, canning produce, doing wallpaper, paintings, and sewing, especially doing embroidery. She worked part time at the Warren Cheese Plant where she was the “Jack of all trades” and at Honeywell in Warren. Donna was a past member of the Warren Winter Warriors snowmobile club and the Sisterettes Bowling Team. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Apple River United Methodist Church.

Donna is survived by her four daughters; Karen (Michael) Tyson of Apple River, IL, Kim (Scott) Holm of Lee, IL, Ronda (Timothy) Dower of Stockton, IL, Tammie Moyer of Cross Plains, WI, daughter-in-law; Holly Feltmeyer of Warren, IL, grandchildren; Rachel (Donald) Brinkmeier, Jennifer (Jason) Eubanks, Kristy (Matthew) Leitzen, Brandon (Kaydra) Heller, Lyndsey (Benjamin) Underwood, Karli (Josh) Weltzin, Jenna (Mason) Winters, Madalyn (Jerek) Pontius, Bryce Moyer, Noah (Becca Riggs) Holm, Caitlyn Moyer, Callie Moyer, and Robert Moyer, great-grandchildren; Alexander (Ana Zinke), Elizabeth, Benjamin, Maxwell, Braeden, Braxtyn, Brynn, Hanna, Haley, Tyler, Jonathon, Paul, Carson, Caden, Mia, Lane, Jaxson, and Preslee, sister; Joyce Zeal, sisters-in-law; Pauline Feltmeyer and Lorraine Feltmeyer, special friends; Lewis and Connie Burmeister, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Roy and Edna Downs, her husband Paul, son Robert, brother Kenneth Downs, and sisters; Velma (Deyo) Bitz, Hazel Pierce, Phyllis Schiess, Alice Brown, June Dawson, Ruby Phillips, and Judy Baber.

A private family funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Apple River. Pastor Matt Smith will officiate the services. Burial will be at the Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.