September 2022

Joye LaVerne Moe, age 94, of Hayward, formerly of Ottawa, IL, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Hayward Health Services in Hayward, WI.  He was born on October 4, 1927 in Ottawa, IL, the son of Joye and Mildred (Nelson) Moe.  He was united in marriage to Betty (Mettille) on September 23,  1951 in Ottawa, IL.

LaVerne proudly served his country in the United States Army WWII.  He and Betty raised their family in Ottawa and resided there most of their life.  He worked in the millwright/carpenter field, and as a pilot, LaVerne loved flying small planes all over the Illinois Valley.  They built a home outside of Hayward in 1985.  He enjoyed many trips up north with his family and made it his permanent home in 2003 after the loss of his wife.  LaVerne enjoyed all that living on the flowage had to offer, especially fishing and feeding the deer.

He is survived by his three sons, Larry (Judy) Dagraedt of Ottawa, Steve Moe of Hayward and Ottawa, and Kevin (Kathy) Moe of Ottawa; and his grandchildren, Kevin Moe Jr., Krystal (Mark) Gaspar both of Ottawa, and Brian Dagraedt of Streator.

In addition to his parents, LaVerne is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Moe; his son, Jerry Dagraedt; and his brother, Wayne “Skip” Moe.

A memorial service will be held in Ottawa at a later date.

LaVerne has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Ten Commandments, Oakwood Memorial Park.

Catherine A. (Hampson) Leach, age 64, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Funeral services and visitation have been held at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial was at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Catherine was born June 13, 1958 in Ottawa, Illinois to Dale and Judith (Pierce) Hampson. Catherine was the oldest of five kids, Catherine, Kenneth, Deborah, Linda and Julie.  She was left handed and loved it! She also loved being born on Friday, the 13th! Catherine grew up in Grand Ridge, Illinois, graduated from Grand Ridge Grade School and Ottawa High School. Catherine attended The First Methodist Church of Grand Ridge.

Catherine had five children, Jennifer, Richard, Casey, Robert, and Kenneth. Catherine had five grandchildren, Anthony, Tyler, Griffin, Kayden and Karsten.

She is survived by her father, Dale Hampson of Streator, Illinois; her brother, Kenneth (Janet) Hampson of Tiskilwa, Illinois; her two sisters, Deborah (Tom) Noon of Lee Center, Illinois and Julie Hampson of Waukegan, Illinois; her daughter, Jennifer (Jarrod) Moss of Las Vegas, Nevada; her three sons, Richard (Brooke) Leach Jr., of Ottawa, Illinois, Robert (Salem) Leach of Streator, Illinois, and Kenneth (Whitney) Leach of North Liberty, Iowa; her four grandsons, Anthony Paone, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona, Tyler and Griffin Leach of Ottawa, Illinois, and Karsten Leach of North Liberty, Iowa;  her uncle, John Pierce, of Sandwich, Illinois; her nieces and nephews; the “Love of her Life” and life time partner, Richard Handzus of Ottawa, Illinois; and her best friend, Jayne McDonald  of Ottawa, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her mother,  Judith (Pierce) Hampson; her sister, Linda (Hampson) Huss; her son, Casey Leach; her grandson, Kayden Leach; her paternal grandparents, Guy and Clara (Anderson) Hampson; her maternal grandparents, Dale and Laura (Huth) Pierce; her aunt and uncle, Harlan and  Jeanne (Hodgin) Hampson; and her aunt and uncle John and Dorothy (Hampson) Labagh of Phoenix, Arizona.

Pallbearers were family members

“I am my Mother’s Daughter”

“Don’t mourn for me, I am in heaven with my Mom, Linda, Uncle Roger, Casey and Kayden”

Memorials may be directed to her grandson, Karsten Leach.

Catherine has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Donna Jane (Goetsch) Kalita, 64, of Peru, passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Faith Church, Peru with Pastor Steve Adamson, officiating. Private burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be held 10-11:00 AM Saturday at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.

Mrs. Kalita was born January 18, 1958, in Ottawa to Donald and Jane (Veith) Goetsch. She graduated with honors from Oswego High School in 1976. She married James Kalita on August 25, 1979, in Aurora.

Mrs. Kalita was an active member of Faith Church in Peru, volunteering in many capacities. She also volunteered at Abigail Women’s Center in Mendota. She loved to travel and enjoyed warm weather and the beach. She also loved sunsets. Her greatest love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her faith sustained her through her entire life. A close second was her love for her family. She enjoyed being a homeschool teacher and her grandkids were her pride and joy.

Survivors include her husband, James; four children, Krista (Ross) Johnson of Ramsey, MN, Michael (Brittany) Kalita of Oglesby, David (Nyvia) Kalita of Abilene, KS and Nathan (Ashley) Kalita of Ramsey, MN; 13 grandchildren, Justus and Easton Johnson, Paige, MacKenzie and Claire Kalita, Natalie, Logan, Hayley, Aurelia and Charlotte Kalita and Judah, Elliott and Annabelle Kalita; her father, Donald Goetsch of Ottawa; three siblings, Diana Goetsch and Dwayne (Missy) Goetsch both of Ottawa and Sara Goetsch of Naplate and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jane Goetsch; her grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Abigail Women’s Center in Mendota.

Donna has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.