Obituaries

Lena

Gertrude Pauline Brown, 99

Gertrude Pauline Brown, age 99 of Lena, IL, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022.

She was born in Freeport, IL on May 25, 1922, the daughter of Otto and Anna (Mock) Bergemann. She married Robert D. Brown on September 27, 1942, in Freeport, IL. Gertie and Bob made their home in Lena, IL where she worked at the Shopper’s Guide for many years until her retirement in 2000. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena and enjoyed volunteering at My Friend’s Closet and playing cards.

Gertie is survived by her daughter Diane (Daniel) Paulsen of Lena; five grandchildren, Laura (Ben) Pearson of Geneseo, IL, Steven (Kali) Brown of Stockton, IL, Joshua (Amanda) Paulsen of Lena, IL, Jessica (Sam) Hupp of Dallas, TX, and Michael Paulsen of Lena, IL; three great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Colton of Lena, and Evie of Dallas, and five step great-grandchildren, David of Geneseo, Wes, Veronika, and Vanessa of Stockton, and Deacon of Dallas, also several nieces and nephews.

Gertie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Dennis Brown, daughter-in-law Mary Brown, three brothers Ralph, Alvin, and Robert Bergemann, and one sister, Lydia Lemke.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until time of services on Saturday, February 12, 2022 also at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lena, IL. Officiating was Rev. Rick Bader. Burial was at Lena Burial Park immediately following the funeral.

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

Warren

Janet J. (Koehler) Upmann, 75

Janet J. (Koehler) Upmann, age 75 of Warren, formerly of Apple River, IL passed away on February 1, 2022 at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, FL.

Janet was born to Edmund and Julia (Lewis) Koehler on October 15, 1946 in Council Hill, IL. She later moved to the Apple Canyon Lake area and attended Warren High School.

Janet married Leo W. Upmann on October 17, 1964 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Apple River, IL. Together they were married 51 years, raised four children, and owned and operated Leo Upmann’s Grocery.

Janet is survived by her two sons; Gene (Annmarie) Koehler of Quincy, MA and Ken Upmann of Dubuque, IA, and one daughter; Kerri (Nicholas) Ruf of Darlington, WI. Janet is also survived by her grandchildren; Erin Koehler, Tyler, Dillon, Jared (Kenna) and Jillian Upmann, Flinn Tassani, Nathaniel and Nya Ruf and one great-grandson Aries Tassani-Allen.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Lyle, two sisters; Gladys Kaiser and Marion Crawley, her husband, her son Kevin, and two nephews; Larry Koehler and Dean Kaiser.

A visitation was held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral home in Warren, IL. Private family funeral services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, IL.

A memorial has been established in Janet’s memory. Condolences maybe sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Barbara A. Ahlstrom, 82

Barbara A. Ahlstrom age 82, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022, at her home surrounded by family.

Barbara was born October 7, 1939, to Harold and Mildred (Noller) Uecker. She was raised in rural Jo Daviess County. She married John H. Ahlstrom Jr. on August 31, 1957 and together they had 4 children. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren.

Barbara is survived by her children: Jeff (Marguerite) Ahlstrom, Jackie Ahlstrom, Judy (Daryl) Ahlstrom-Kuhn, and Jennifer (Thomas) Ahlstrom Mayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband John Ahlstrom Jr.

Per Barbara’s request no services will be held. Cremation rights to be accorded.

A memorial has been established in her memory to the charity of your choice.

Orangeville

Roselyn M. Dietmeier, 93

Roselyn M. Dietmeier, age 93, of Orangeville, died at her home on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 surrounded by her family.

Roselyn was born on March 14, 1928 in Monroe, the son of Otis and Marie (Ruegsegger) Wells. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1946 and attended Green County Normal School. She taught in Cadiz Township before her marriage to Melvin Dietmeier on September 10, 1949. Roselyn and Melvin farmed in Oneco Township all their lives. She was a member of the Antique Wheelers Car Club and a lifelong member of St. Victor Catholic Church. Roselyn enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, reading, traveling with Melvin, and playing cards with her friends.

She is survived by four children, Mike (Barb) Dietmeier of Winslow, Mel Dietmeier of Mesa, Arizona, Sue Dietmeier (Randy Bader) of Monroe, Tom (Wendy) Dietmeier of Orangeville; seven grandchildren, Jeremy, Aaron (Ashley), Anthony (Brittany), Rebekah (Corey), Cory, Trevor, Dylan; and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin, on November 25, 2010; an infant daughter, Mary; brother, Victor Wells; and a sister, Lorraine Schlappi.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Tafadzwa Kushamba officiating. Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation was at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, on Monday, February 14, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Roselyn’s name to St. Victor Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared at http://www.newcomerfuneralhome.net

Stockton

Thomas Calderon, 63

Thomas Calderon, age 63, of Stockton, IL passed away Friday, February 11, 2022. He was born in Freeport, IL on November 26, 1958 to the late Frank and Sandra (Stumbaugh) Calderon. Tom married Carmen Calderon on August 13, 2004 in Galena, IL.

Tom was a 1977 graduate of Freeport High School. He went on to attend Motorcycle Mechanic School in Chicago. Tom was an avid member of Indian Trails Archery. He enjoyed photography and the outdoors, especially camping, boating and hunting. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially teasing the grandkids. His family considered him to be a loving brother, confidant, and the glue that held the family together during ups and downs.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carmen Calderon of Stockton, IL; his sons, Neil (Rianne) of Springfield, IL, Cliff (Melissa) of Freeport, IL, and Zach (Trista) David of Dubuque, IA; his daughters, Nicole (Chris Raab) Williams of Stockton, IL and Tory (Josh Stewart) Calderon of Shannon, IL; his brothers, Mark Calderon of Freeport, IL, Phil “PeeWee” Calderon of Freeport, IL, Dan (Vicki) Calderon of Johnston, IA, Don Calderon of Johnston, IA, and Tim Calderon of Hinton, OK; his sisters, Lisa Calderon of Highlands Ranch, CO and Shannon Calderon of Anchorage, AK; and his 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There will be a visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.