Obituaries

Lena

Ruth M. Wingert, 96

Ruth M. Wingert, age 96, formerly of Lena, IL passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Monroe, WI. Ruth was born on September 15, 1927 to Franz “Frank” and Eunice (Duvall) Siedschlag. She married Arnold Wingert on January 8, 1948 in Freeport, IL. Ruth helped her father when she was younger, driving the horses at age 12. She farmed alongside her husband Arnold until 1972, when they retired. Ruth also worked at Kolb-Lena, Structo toys, and as a telephone operator in Freeport. She was an avid vegetable gardener. She was a homemaker who enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, and animals.

Ruth is survived by her children; Marcia (Neil) Connor of Sun Prairie, WI, and Charles Wingert of Gratiot, WI, grandchildren; Christopher (Katie) Connor of Anacortes, WA, Mary Jane (Corey Uselman) Connor of Madison, WI, Vicki (CJ Kaegi) of New Glarus, WI, Jessie Wingert of Florida, and Jessica Wingert of Gratiot, WI, three great-grandchildren; Collins Uselman, Kholten and Keoghan Wingert, brother-in-law Boyd Wingert of Lena, nieces; Anne (Gerald) Schultz of Lake Carroll, IL Barbara Sargent of Blaine, MN, Nancy (Gary) Price of Lena, IL, Rosemary Meier of Houston, TX, and Paula Berget, of Cliff, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arnold, daughter Vicki, granddaughter Diedra, mother and father-in-law; Floyd and Laurene Wingert, her sister Esther “Mae” Berget- Peterson, sisters-in-law Johanne Wingert and Ada Mae Welker, brothers-in-law Kenneth Welker and Merlin Peterson, nephews; Fred Welker and Lyle Wingert, and a niece Cheryl Markowski.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Lena United Methodist Church in Lena. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until time of services on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the church. Pastor Melwyn Alagodi officiated the services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

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

Savanna

Tonda Lou (Fiser) Kness, 74

Tonda Lou (Fiser) Kness loved taking care of others and was always helping her family, friends and neighbors in any way she could. Tonda passed away Friday, June 14, 2024 at Unity Point Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born October 13,1949 in Savanna, Illinois the daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Harrison) Fiser, and attended Savanna schools. She currently lived at Foster Court in Mt. Carroll.

Tonda had three children, Tom, Melissa and Henry. On May 13, 1944, Tonda and Glen were married May 13, 1994, adding seven step-children to her family. Tonda and Glen celebrated 28 years of marriage before Glen’s passing on November 2, 2022.

Tonda worked as a nursing supervisor at the Polo Nursing Home. She also enjoyed riding across-country with Glen while he was trucking, experiencing new sites and adventures. Tonda loved cooking and caring for people and animals. If it had paws or a tail, she would see it was taken care of, Sebastion was her last loveable cat. Tonda had a special love for her grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and pets.

Tonda was funny, and quick to make a joke. She helped brighten even the tough times. She loved to sing and was a big fan of Elvis. She loved finding a well built snowman, but most of all Tonda loved the Lord.

She is survived by her son Thomas (Vanessa) Biasi of Silvis, Illinois; her daughter Melissa Dauphin of Lanark, Illinois; seven step-children, Brian (Tina) Kness of Freeport, Glen Lee Kness of Dubuque, Glenda (Larry) Lott of Lena, Kathi (Mike) Bonzick of Shannon, Kelly Plock of Lanark, Christopher Kness of Mt. Carroll, and Patrick (Jessica) Kness of Mt. Carroll; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by both parents; her husband, Glen Kness; her son, Henry Lee Smith; a step-daughter, Kathi Bonzick; her sister, Annabelle Morse; and half-brother, Raymond Roush.

A celebration of life was held 2 – 4pm Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Law Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, with a time of sharing at 4pm, followed by a gathering at the Savanna Moose lodge.

Lorena Andrea Green, 94

Lorena Andrea Green, age 94, of Savanna, IL, passed away June 23, 2024, at Allure Nursing Home, in Mt. Carroll, IL. A funeral service was held at 12 noon, on Tuesday, June 25, at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Savanna. Visitation took place for one hour prior to the service. Burial followed at Savanna Township Cemetery.

Lorena was born December 12, 1929 in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Andrew and Laura (Tillis) Johnson. She attended Sabula, IA schools. On April 21, 1944, Lorena married Lyle William Green, Sr., in Clinton, IA.

It wasn’t long before their first child was born, and 26 years later Lorena and Lyle had brought 15 children into the world. As you can imagine, Lorena was quite the busy homemaker; and she loved it! Her large family made all the best parts of life even better. Family gatherings and holidays were a bit wild, but always a joyous time. She adored the Christmas season; hosting the entire family every Christmas Eve, complete with a big pot of her famous chili.

Raising her family, Lorena kept a large garden and potato patch, and perfected the art of canning her vegetables. And boy was she proud of her lilac bushes! She didn’t have much free time, but she and Lyle took on everything life threw at them, working through the frustrations with a “get it done” attitude.

As she grew older, and her children left the nest, Lorena finally had some time for relaxation and hobbies. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and embroidery, and loved her trips to the dollar store.

Lorena will be dearly missed by her children, Bonnie (James Haag) Howard, of Mt. Carroll, Lyle (Mary) Green, of Elizabeth, Enoch (Romana) Green, of Elizabeth, Laurie (James) Kehl, of Elizabeth, and Randy (Jennifer) Green, of Elizabeth; 22 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and six daughters-in-law, Angie, Donna, Robin, Mary, Vicki, and Jane. Lorena is preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, Sr .; daughter, Lila; sons, Russell, Larry, William, Earl, Douglas, Andrew, Danny, Tony, and Ray; daughters-in-law, Debra and Robin; sons-in-law, Rick Howard and Richard Chapman; grandson, Brian Green; and sister, Evelyn Phillips.