September 2020

Ruth E. (Boe) Stanford, 72, of Ottawa, passed away on August 25, 2020 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

Private services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday August 30, 2020 at the Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, with Rev. Randy Mortenson, officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 12:45 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Private burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2020 at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. The family respectfully requests those attending the visitation or service wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Pallbearers will be her nephews.

Ruth was born on November 26, 1947 in Ottawa to Lester and Esther (Johnson) Boe. She married Larry Stanford in October 11, 1980, at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church. She worked at General Carbide in Sandwich and later the Community Hospital of Ottawa. She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church.

Ruth had a special gift to play the piano and enjoyed entertaining by playing your favorite tune. She had an extraordinary memory for birthday and anniversary dates.

Ruth is survived by her husband Larry Stanford, two brothers, Eugene (Gudrun) Boe, of Fergus Falls, MN, and Russell (Nancy) Boe, of Ottawa, a sister, Judy (Kevin) Snook, of Ottawa, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Judy Harden, 73, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020 at her home.

Private services will be held with burial in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Judy was born June 15, 1947, in Clementsville, KY, to Dewey and Elizabeth (Wethington) Taylor. She married Danny Harden on August 6, 1966 in Ottawa.

She was a homemaker, taking care of the house and helping raise their children. She loved to make fleece tie blankets and collect pig knick knacks and she was a former member of the Bootkickers dance group.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Danny; her children, Dan Harden and Cora Anderson; and her granddaughter, Amanda Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Psalms.

Reverend Gene Peisker went home to Jesus early Sunday morning, September 6, 2020 at Ottawa Pavilion, where he resided following a long convalescence due to a stroke in 2013. The family held a private graveside service to celebrate Gene’s life, in keeping with safety precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pastor David Ufkes, of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiated. Arrangements were through the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Gene Kenneth Peisker was born on December 17, 1936 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, to Charles and Gladys (Lee) Peisker. He graduated high school in Richland, Washington and then attended Pacific Lutheran College in Tacoma, Washington where he received his bachelor’s degree. He was a 1962 graduate of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and completed further graduate studies at Union Seminary in New York City before being ordained a Lutheran minister in June 1963.

Gene served many Lutheran parishes during his lifetime. His first parish was in Absarokee, Montana, followed by a parish in Circle, Montana. His life’s work then took Gene and his family to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Urbana, Illinois, followed by Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Illinois, where he served for 21 years before retiring in December of 1998.

Following his retirement, Gene served as an interim pastor for many Lutheran churches in northern Illinois. He served on the Boards of United Way of Eastern LaSalle County, and Pleasant View in Ottawa, Illinois. He also served many years as a spiritual director for Kogudus of Illinois.

Gene volunteered as a pastor with the inmates at Sheridan Correctional Center and conducted a weekly Bible study there for many years. He enjoyed carpentry, miniature railroads, and spending time outdoors enjoying God’s creation. He was very proud of all of his children and grandchildren.

Gene married Janice Rindahl on August 17, 1958, in Springfield, Oregon. She preceded him in death on May 15, 1992. He married Carol (Looney) Chevalier on August 22, 1993, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol, four sons, Jim (Susan) Peisker of Cedar Park, Texas, John (Lynn) Peisker of South Bend, Indiana, Dan Peisker of Redding, California, and David (Kelly) Peisker of Elizaville, Indiana. He is also survived by three step-children, Michelle (Michael) Jansz, Yvette (Doug) Pastirik, and Brian (Paula) Chevalier; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, David, in infancy.

He was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Martin Francis Hansen, 71 of Streator and formerly of Goodyear, AZ and Los Angeles, CA passed away Sunday September 6, 2020 at Parker Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center.

Following cremation a visitation will be held Friday September 11, 2020 from 10 – 11AM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home with services to follow. Burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa, Illinois.

Due to the Covid Pandemic social distancing will be followed and masks being worn.

Martin was born on November 4, 1948 in Watseka to Lewis and Helena (Harms) Hansen.

Surviving are children; Kim Hansen, Bonnie (Troy) Dimmig, Jody (Jeff) Jenkins, Mark (Michele) Hansen, Ed (Tammy) Handzus and Shane (Fran) Osland, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers, Ron (Marlene) Hansen, Merle (Jeanne) Hansen, Tom (Mary) Hansen, sister Diane Hull and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Diane and a brother Lewis Hansen.

Martin graduated from Gilman High School. Martin and Diane resided on the West Coast since 1980s where he retired as a property manager. He enjoyed classic cars and DIY projects.

He was laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments.

Helen Williamson, 83, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Sunday September 6, 2020 at Manor Court in Peru, IL, where she received wonderful care for many years in the dementia unit.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am Friday September 11, 2020 at Ottawa Funeral Home, with officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:00 am on Friday before services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.

Helen was born June 29, 1937, in Brazil, IN, to Clifford M. and Gertrude (Brown) Nussel. She married Kenneth Williamson on April 26, 1958 in Havana, IL., he preceded her in death on November 10, 2016. Helen was a wonderful mother and grandmother. After she graduated high school, Helen became a telephone operator. She was a homemaker when her children were young. Once her children were older, she transported special education children to Peoria for school. She loved being outdoors working in her garden, tending to her herbs or just swinging on the back porch. She was very involved with her church often involved with making crafts for a sale. Helen had a smile for everyone to go with her sunny disposition and contagious giggle. Helen enjoyed traveling all over the country with her family and frequently brought home an antique or other collectable. Helen was an avid and talented basketweaver and was a founder of the Land of Lincoln Basket Weaver Association. Helen was also passionate about herbs, making vinegars, candles and soaps. She could be found at the local farmer’s markets with her creations. Helen had a love for dogs, wire hair fox terriers, to be exact. Helen was a member of Epworth Methodist Church in Ottawa where she attended services faithfully until the progression of her dementia.

She is survived by her sons Eric (Molly) Williamson, of Ottawa, Rodney Williamson of Streator, four grandchildren Cory Pagakis, Julia, Jack and Luke Williamson and her sister Reta Morrisette.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Betty Nussel and her beloved daughter Lisa Pagakis.

Pallbearers will be Cory Pagakis, Jack Williamson, Luke Williamson, Julia Browning and Winford DeClue.

She was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.