Obituaries

Lena

Nancy Kay Kruger Herman, 85

Nancy Kay Kruger Herman passed away on Friday, August 23rd, 2024 in the southwest suburbs of Chicago after moving closer to family to recover from an extensive illness.

Born in 1939 in Darlington, Wisconsin to Joseph “Joe” and Joyce Kruger, Nancy spent her childhood years in Warren, Illinois with her siblings Janeen (Geilenfeldt) and Joseph “Lee” Kruger. After graduating high school, she worked as a secretary before marrying the love of her life, Dan Herman.

Nancy and Dan began their marriage and family living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before settling to raise their children in Naperville, Illinois. After retiring Nancy enjoyed 10 wonderful years on Lake Carroll with Dan before he passed away after 53 years of marriage. Nancy spent the last 9 years of her life living in Lena, Illinois. She loved the small-town life Lena offered and enjoyed being near her sister, family, and friends.

Nancy is survived by her children- Susan (Todd) Freas, Kevin (Beth) Herman, and Mark (Niki) Herman; sister- Janeen (Glen) Geilenfeldt; sister-in-law Sue Kruger; sister-in-law Dorthea Herman; grandchildren- Matt (Shelby) Kelzer, Joseph “Joe” (Deana) Kelzer, David Herman, Alex Herman, and Daniel Freas; and great-grandchildren- Caroline and Violet Kelzer.

Please join us to celebrate Nancy’s life on Saturday, October 5th for an open house, 1:00-4:00 p.m. 333 Valley View Dr, Lena, IL, 61048.

Nancy will be missed by all that knew her. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please donate in her honor to a charity of your choice. Please consider donating to the Timber Lake Playhouse 8215 Black Oak Rd, Mt Carroll, IL, 61053. Nancy and Dan supported them over the years and enjoyed many productions there.

Nancy had a favorite saying that’s displayed on a refrigerator magnet in her home, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

Jeannine Louise Raders, 83

Jeannine Louise Raders, 83, of Lena, IL, passed away peacefully at the Lena Living Center on Friday, August 23, 2024, after an extended illness. She was born in the Land of Lincoln, coincidentally on his birthday, February 12, 1941, to Frederic and Norma (Baughman) Held in Freeport, IL. Jeannine was a 1959 graduate from Freeport High School.

She married Terry Scott Raders on April 3, 1960 and for the next 30 years helped on the farm and raising their three boys. When time and reasons permitted, they would enjoy small trips particularly camping and fishing at the lakes of central WI, and were fortunate to visit Ontario, Canada and made a trip to Germany and Switzerland. After Terry’s untimely passing in 1991, in order to stay occupied Jeannine worked at several endeavors including hostessing, catering, and being a dental assistant, finally staying with the Lena Dentists, assisting in bookings and records. In the late 1990’s, she started driving school bus routes for the Lena School District until retiring in 2011, a job which she greatly enjoyed, especially dealing with the younger children and transporting the older kids to their sports activities and field trips. Jeannine also appreciated the time and friendship over the years with her many Beta Sigma Phi Sorority sisters.

Jeannine is survived by her three sons, Jeff Raders of Freeport, Craig Raders & wife, LeAnne of Lena, and Tracey Raders & wife Francie of Erie, CO; six grandchildren, Caden Raders (Bailey) of Rockford, IL, Carrie Raders & fiancé Gage Gilbert of Pocatello, ID, Callie Raders of Nevada, IA, Lacey Raders also of Erie, CO, Claire(Jacob) Zee of Highland Ranch, CO and Emma Raders & fiancé Javan Clement of Grand Island, NE, and three step-grandchildren, Jennifer (James) Schmidt of Elburn, WI, Tamara (Alfred) Triem of Janesville, WI and Amber (Jose) Triem of Milton, WI.

Her sister, Sherilyn (Sheri) & husband, William (Bill) Leege of Oconto, WI; two nephews, Brad Leege & wife, Carol Kolb of Madison, WI Brian Leege & wife, Kristine of Minneapolis, MN and a niece, Erin Leege & husband, Doug Dionne, of Green Bay, WI.

Jeannine was preceded in death by her husband Terry, her parents, Frederic & Norma Held, mother and father-in-law Francis & Betty Raders and her grandparents, George & Louise Held and Wade & Gladys Baughman.

A private family service will be held. Paster Thomas Mosbo will officiate. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jeannine’s name

Freeport/Stockton

Nancy A. Molitor, 88

Nancy A. Molitor, age 88, of Freeport, IL, formerly of Stockton, IL, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024. She was born in Freeport, IL on August 23, 1936 to the late Kenneth and Elvira (Korte) Glanville. Nancy married Eldred Molitor on April 27, 1957 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton.

Nancy was a 1954 graduate of Stockton High School where she was known for her musical talents. She went on to graduate from Rockford School of Business. Following graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for both Masters and Harrison Agency and the Stockton School District. She then operated Glanville True Value Hardware Store in Stockton with her husband for 25 years, the business her grandfather James Glanville Sr began in 1887.

Nancy was a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She also enjoyed being an active volunteer for Hospice of Northern Illinois. After moving to Freeport in 2021, she joined St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

She enjoyed playing the piano (with both her kids and grandkids dancing energetically), bird watching, golfing, reading, and watching sports. Football season was her favorite time of year. She was happiest when she was riding shotgun to attend any of her grandchildren’s school, musical or sporting events. She could most often be found in her favorite chair with one of her many rosaries, prayer books and a mug of tea.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Eldred Molitor; her son, Jerry (Sue) Molitor of Eden Prairie, MN; her daughters, Kathy (Tom) Simon of Cedarburg, WI and Jana (Tim) Colborn of Pecatonica, IL; her grandchildren, Nathan (Jessica) Simon, Kristin (Michael) Egan, Kara (Ethan) LeGault, Fr. Grant Colborn, Clayton (Maddy) Colborn, Zachary Molitor and Nicole Molitor; and her great grandchildren, Eli and Hudson LeGault, Charlie and Fritz Egan, and Lilian Simon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Elvira; her infant daughter, Maria Jo; and her sister, Janelle Batley.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport. Visitation began at 9:00 a.m., Funeral Mass was at 10:30 a.m. followed by internment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton.

Thank you to Dr. Martinez for his caring guidance and the staff at Freeport Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care. Special thanks to Tanya and the ICU staff, Kara and the hospice team and Heather, Kelly and the nursing staff on 3 East for their attentive compassionate care.

Memorials to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Spina Bifida Association and Childhood Glaucoma are suggested. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Warren

William H (Bill) Korte, 90

William H. (Bill) Korte passed away on August 28, 2024, at the age of 90. Bill was born on February 27, 1934 to Raymond and Rose Mougin Korte in Galena, IL. He graduated from Warren High School in 1952. He served in the US Army from 1956-1958.

On August 15, 1959, Bill married Colleen Rose McDermott at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington, WI. They lived in Warren, IL, for nine years and then moved to Stockton, IL where he was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. They recently moved to Freeport, IL where he was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Bill enjoyed farming, gardening, cutting wood, picking grapes at their friends’ winery, reading, and traveling with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and their three children: Katherine (George) Esser, Alma Center, WI, Tom (Jean) Korte, Freeport, IL, and Mary Korte, St. Louis, MO. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Nicole Esser, Lucas (Lindsey) Esser, Caitlin (Justin) Solsrud, Jacob Esser and Ayla Masurin, and Michael Ryan Decker. He is survived by ten great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters Lenora Jackson of Santa Ana, CA, Rita (Darrell) Orr of Hartland, WI, and Cheryl (Richard) Holland of Flower Mound, TX, sister-in-law Linda Korte of Lena, IL and his brothers Robert (Sharon) Korte of South Beloit, IL, Donald Korte of Warren, IL, and Roland Korte of Warren, IL. He is survived by a large family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Donna (Mervin) Hintz, Deloris (Eldon) Ertmer, Shelby Jean (James) Young and brothers Richard Korte and Harold “Chris” (Carol) Korte.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of FHN and Freeport Memorial Hospital and Liberty Village for their care and assistance.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Apple River

Joseph “Joe” H. McGivney, 62

Joseph “Joe” H. McGivney, age 62, of Apple River, IL passed away at home with his family by his side, on Wednesday August 28,2024, after a hard fought battle with cancer. Joe was born on March 4, 1962 in Savanna, IL to Harvey and Judy (Wand) McGivney. He was a 1980 graduate of Warren High School. On September 22, 1984, he married Sue Knuckey in Schapville, IL. Joe was employed by A-1 Electric in Monroe, WI for over 28 years.

He was a trustee with the Apple River Township. Joe was always tinkering with something. You could often find him in his shop working on a project, or fixing things for his family. Joe and Sue enjoyed riding their Goldwing Motorcycle, especially on trips out west. They traveled to 32 different states. He was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his wife Sue of Apple River, IL, their two sons; Jase (Hilary) McGivney of Stockton, IL, and Kyle (Alex) McGivney of Lewistown, MO, grandchildren; Cooper, Carson, Cohen, and Kemper McGivney, and Brynn and Brooke McGivney, his parents; Harvey and Judy McGivney, siblings; Linda Sue McGivney, Marcia (Randy) Hammer, Monica (Mike) Wentz, Jim (Monica) McGivney, Melanie Charnas, Beth (Adam) Armstrong, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his two cats.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father-in-law Mary and William Knuckey, and his brother-in-law Chad Charnas.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 2, 2024 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville, IL. A visitation was from 2-6:00 PM on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville. Cremation rites will be accorded. Pastor Jim Mehltreter officiated the services.

A memorial has been established for his memory.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Joe’s nurse Jessica with Hospice of Dubuque for the exceptional care she gave Joe.

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