Obituaries

Freeport

Nancy F. Otte, 90

Nancy F. Otte, 90 of Freeport passed away at the Monroe Hospice in Monroe, WI Sunday, Sept 10, 2023. Her family was by her side. Born July 25, 1933 in Jacksonville, Il to Dallas & Clayetta (Hodgson) Smith. She married Leland Otte on Oct 3, 1953 at the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Freeport, Il and they built their life together. After they were married, and Lee spent 2 years in the service from 1955 to 1957, they moved to the farm on Flansburg Road where they lived there for the rest of their lives.

She was the Winslow High School Valedictorian in 1951. Sewing was her passion. She made her own wedding dress and through the years she hosted & emceed many antique fashion style shows.

Early in on, she worked 10 years as a reporter for the Northwestern Illinois Farmer Newspaper. She also worked in sales for Leamon’s Furniture Store, Fawn’s Niche and was a travel agent for many years. She was a long time member of St John’s UCC in Freeport, Il.

She was very active in the International Visitor program for 40 years. She and her family hosted 300 International visitors & State Dept guests from all over the world. She also programmed 3000 International visitors. She often invited them to the Freeport Rotary Club Noon Meetings. She was also invited to be a member, and did serve as the first Woman president of her Rotary club. Throughout her life, Nancy was truly cherished and loved her family and all her friends. Like a cake or a pie, those ingredients always included Love. In her family’s words she was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband, Leland of rural Freeport; Sons, Kevin (Vici) Otte of Freeport; Marshall Otte of Sheboygan, WI and David (Catherine) Otte of Phoenix, AZ; Sister Linda Lashmet of Jacksonville, Il and half-sister, Kathie (Roger) Schultz of Lena, Il. Grandsons, Mathew Otte of Freeport and Jake (Stephanie) Otte of Phoenix, AZ. Grand Daughters, Heather (Jon) Cox of Peoria, Il and Amanda (Corey) Vaughn of Phoenix, AZ. Her legacy also includes 3 Great Grand- children, Ellie Cox, Lindsey Vaughn and Caleb Vaughn as well many nieces & nephews.

She is preceded in death by her brother Jeff Smith, by her parents and Irene Smith, the Step Mother who raised her after her birth Mother passed away.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 7 beginning at 9am-11am at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Freeport. A memorial service will immediately follow at 11am also at the church. Her final resting place will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Condolences can be left for the family at http://www.walkermortuary.com.

Stockton

Marlene Deanna Edmund, 81

Marlene Deanna Edmund, age 81, of Stockton, IL passed away Monday, September 25, 2023 at Parkview Nursing Home in Freeport. She was born on February 4, 1942 in Woodland, CA to the late George Vernon and Beula Marie (Jones) Bryan. Marlene married Torrey Olson on January 13, 1962 and together they had three children. She later married Frank Edmund on August 4, 1979. Frank passed away on February 15, 2011.

Marlene enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafting, fishing, and her pets. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and family at Apple Canyon Lake. Most of all, she loved to spoil her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Kari Olson of Pearl City; her sons, Troy Olson of Stockton and Jon (Teri) Olson of Sterling; her stepsons, Jerry (Sharon) Edmund of Washington, IA, Jim (Pam) Edmund of Houston, TX and Tim (Laura) Edmund of Ripon, WI; her 10 grandchildren; her several great grandchildren; her sister, Carol (Duane) Price of Freeport; her brother, Don Bryan of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; four brothers; and two sisters.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Marion F. Huttenlocher, 89

Marion F. Huttenlocher, age 89, of Stockton, IL passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023. He was born in Woodbine on February 21, 1934 to the late Friedrich and Ruth (Wurster) Huttenlocher. Marion married Joyce Miller on October 20, 1957 in Cedarville, IL. Joyce passed away on January 8, 2022.

Marion farmed his whole life and was very passionate about farming. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in France. He was a lifelong member of Derinda Lutheran Church where he served on Church Council. He also served on the JoDaviess County Mutual Insurance Board of Directors, Federal Land Bank Board, Production Credit Association Board and as Woodbine Township Moderator. He enjoyed taking trips with his friends and family.

Marion is survived by his daughter, Karen Huttenlocher of Lena; his sons, Craig Huttenlocher of Stockton, Kevin (Becky) Huttenlocher of Lena and Terry (Tamara) Huttenlocher of Warren; his grandchildren, Ryan (Kelsy), Brooke (Jerry Walton), Tyler, Cody (Sierra), Chelsea and Steven; his great grandchildren, Kyran, Autumn and Annabelle; his sisters, Reola Miller of Shannon, Nancy Schubert of Cedarville and Charlice (Carl) Steien of Warren; his brother, Larry (Mary Ann) Huttenlocher of Elizabeth; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; his son, Curtis; and his brother, Harvey Huttenlocher.

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

Eleroy

William Harold Nieves Jr., 70

William Harold Neves Jr. Age 70 went home to his Heavenly Father on September 25, 2023, after a long battle with an illness. He was born in Worland, Wyoming on January 10, 1953, to William Harold Neves Sr. And Mildred Williams Neves. William married Patricia Watz October 25, 2010 in Glendive, Montana.

After high school, he served for our country for nearly 14 years in the Air Force with many accomplishments. He operated a trucking escort service for several years where he drove cross country escorting wide load trucks to their destination.

His kind and helpful soul will be missed by everyone he knew. William is survived by his wife Patricia Neves, his sisters; Diane, Sandy, Judy (Gary); his brothers; Jim, Bob, John; his kids; Janice, Jeff, and Scott; his step kids; Steve, Tracy, Jeremy, Sonya, Micah, Shantay of Rockford; his grandchildren Elijah, Colten; Step grandchildren; Sherry, Brandon, Courtney, Artesia, Destiny, Jesiah, Zamere, Neil, Hank, Miliano, Paul and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at 12:00pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena. With a visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service at the Leamon Funeral Home. Pastor Gary Harris officiated the service.

The burial will take place at the Eleroy Cemetery. A memorial has been established in his name. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Pearl City

Curt Baumgartner, 58

Curt Baumgartner, 58, of Pearl City, IL passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at his home. He was born on October 16, 1964 to Eugene and Faline (Reiter) Baumgartner in Freeport, IL.

Curt graduated from Pearl City High School in 1982. He married Sue Miller on February 23, 1985 in Pearl City, IL. He was employed as a shipping supervisor at Honeywell. He enjoyed riding the trials on his side by side, and was a die-hard Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. Curt took fantasy football and fantasy baseball leagues very seriously, analyzing players and making trades.

Curt will be deeply missed by his wife Sue, and their children; daughter, Tara (Dean) Adams and their children, Makenna and Avery of Lena; son, Chase (Amber) Baumgartner and their children Nolan, Madix, Brylee, and Brantley of Durand; son, Austin (Britney) Baumgartner and their children, Amelia, and Skylar of Freeport. Curt is also survived by his parents, Gene and Faline Baumgartner of Pearl City, siblings; Tim (Mary) Baumgartner of Pecatonica, Kevin (Tasha Dyson) of Pearl City, and Deb (Jerry) Siegmeier of Pearl City, brothers and sisters-in-law; Russell (Susan) Miller of Sugar Grove, Kevin (Connie) Miller of Lena, Bob (Marianne) Miller of Metamora, MI, and Sandy (John) Gerbode of Sumter, SC, and his mother-in-law; Roberta Miller of Lena.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL. A visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Leamon Funeral Home. Private family burial will take place at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City, IL. A luncheon will follow the services at Wolf Hollow Golf Course in Lena. Pastor Roger Bronkema will officiate the services. The family requests that you dress in casual attire.

There are no goodbyes for us, wherever you are, you will always in in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.