Obituaries

Stockton

Deanna Rae Smith, 68

Deanna Rae Smith, age 68, of Stockton, IL passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford, IL. She was born in Chicago, IL on April 4, 1956 to LaVern and Donna (Lloyd) Stockwell. Deanna married Roger Smith on July 21, 1973.

She was a member of Calvary Church of Stockton and the PBGV Club of America. Deanna was a hard worker, starting at the age of 12 working at The Lantern in Stockton. She worked for All Rental Garments in Rockford, Eaton’s in Warren, the Pharmacy at Hartigs in Stockton, she retired as Maintenance Director from the Stockton School District then went on to work at ACE Hardware in Stockton and lastly, at Fritz Nursery in Stockton. Deanna loved fishing, flowers, gardening, crocheting, and animals, often taking in strays. She groomed dogs for 12 years and showed dogs most of her life.

Deanna is survived by her husband, Roger Smith of Stockton; her mother, Donna Stockwell of Stockton; her daughter, Jody (Kevin) Bausic of Pecatonica; her son, Steve (Amy) Smith of Stockton; her brother, Brian Stockwell of Rockford; and her grandchildren, Hannah Smith, Bryce Smith, Kyla Bausic, Taya Bausic, and Jennika Bausic. She was preceded in death by her father, LaVern; and her sister, Diane Dolin.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. also at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Mount Carroll

Tamara Kay (Graham) Ruter, 43

Tamara Kay (Graham) Ruter, age 43, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away from sudden health complications at FHN Hospital in Freeport, on June 28, 2024. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 8 at Zion Community Church of Pearl City. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 7 at the Church, as well as one hour prior to Monday's service. Burial followed at Union Cemetery, in rural Mt. Carroll.

Tamara was born August 29, 1980, in Rochester, MN, the daughter of Gary and Gloria (Gleason) Graham. She graduated from Mayo High School with the class of 1998, and enrolled at Winona State University, graduating with a degree in criminal justice, in 2002. She soon carved out a career in real estate, serving as a realtor and member of the Realtor Association, for more than 20 years.

On June 15, 2019, Tamara married Jared Ruter, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, IL. Together they had a daughter, Ella Mae. Though Tamara was accomplished in many aspects of her life, Ella was definitely her biggest accomplishment. Though they only had 6 years together, the memories they made will be cherished forever and live on through Ella.

Tamara had a deep love for horses; and watching her start to share that love with her Ella Mae was a beautiful thing. She enjoyed trail riding and sorting and penning, and really anything that involved tending to her horses, or any animal. Her compassion and love for animals was unrivaled. She and Jared kept all sorts, ranging from horses to goats to peacocks, and many more.

Tamara, Jared, and Ella Mae took many family trips to local and regional Rodeos, and loved a good camping trip. Anything that resulted in her little family going out and doing things together were by far her most cherished times. Tamara always had quite a taste in music and loved enjoying many concerts with family and friends.

Tamara always wanted to better her community. She was a member of the Jo Daviess County Mounted Patrol, the Stockton School Board, and Berreman Township Board.

Tamara was a beautifully strong-willed, kind, and passionate person. She had a quick sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was hardworking, motivated, and successful in so many aspects of her life. She made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.

Her departure comes as a great shock and is gravely felt by her entire family and countless others who loved her deeply in her wide network of community.

Tamara will be dearly missed by her husband, Jared Ruter; daughter, Ella Mae Ruter; father Gary Graham of Pine Island, MN; mother, Gloria Gleason, of Lake Carroll, IL; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Kayla Ruter, of Shannon; brother-in-law Clayton (Shaye) Ruter, Lanark; sister-in-law, Taylor (Drew) Carroll, niece and nephew, Darby and Coe Carroll, of Lanark; and grandmother-in-law, Sheryl Ruter, of Shannon. Tamara is preceded in death by her grandparents, Warren W (Vivian) Graham and Walter (Lydia) Schultz.

Pearl City

Patricia L. (Luensmann) Weisbeck

Patricia L. (Luensmann) Weisbeck passed away peacefully in her home on July 3, 2024, after her battle with cancer.

Patricia liked to travel, garden, and spend time with her family, kids, and grandkids.

She is survived by her significant other, Greg Gipe, her children Justin (Emily) Weisbeck, Elizabeth (Shannon) Kringle, John (Anastasia) Weisbeck, her grandkids, Trindyn, Evelyn, Malcolm, Harlynn, Adeline, and Rowen, her grand-dog, Bosco, her sisters Ann (Dick) Woodward, Lois (Bill) Lane, her brothers Larry (Deanne) Luensmann, Francis (Elaine) Pistek, and her ex-husband James (Lainey) Weisbeck.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and and Esther Luensmann, and her sister Elaine Pistek.

Memorial Services will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church in Worthington, Iowa, on July 11, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Lena/Nora

Mary Evelyn Williams, 99

Mary Evelyn Williams, 99, formerly of Lena and Nora, passed away July 10, 2024 at Parkview Home, Freeport. She was born May 30, 1925, the daughter of Henry J. Campbell and Anne (Foley) Campbell in Gratiot, WI township. She attended the White School down the road from the family farm and graduated Gratiot High School in 1943. She attended Platteville State Teachers College, graduating in 1945. Evelyn taught elementary school in Shullsburg, WI for two years. On February 10, 1948, she married Jack F. Williams at St. Joseph Rectory in Gratiot. They farmed near Nora for 36 years before retiring to Lena in 1984 and enjoyed over 68 years of married life.

Evelyn was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Warren where she was an Altar and Rosary Society member and catechism teacher. With the move to Lena, she became a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Evelyn volunteered at the Lena location of the Golden Meals program for many years. She was a fan of the Chicago Cubs/Bears/Bulls and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Mary Evelyn is survived by her two sons, Don (Judy) of DePere, WI and Tim of Monroe, WI; grandson, Chris of Avon, CO; nephews Dan(Mary) Schneider and Kelly Scnheider among many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; one step grandson Spencer (Cassandra) VanStraten and four step great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband Jack, in 2016, her parents, three brothers (Cecil “Ned”, Art and Charles “Bud” Campbell), sister (Annette Schneider) grandson (Chad), step grandson (Ben VanStraten) and former daughter-in-law (Suzanne).

A special thank you to the staff of Parkview Home-Health Center West for their care of Mom over the last four years (two of those years during the difficult pandemic). Your kindness and dedication will always be remembered.

Private family services will be held. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lena. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.