Clarice (Johnson) Abernathy, 93, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the home of her daughter Joanne, in Sycamore.
Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at the Mueller Funeral home in Ottawa, with Rev. Kris Zierke, Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 12 noon, until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Private burial will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park on Monday.
Clarice was born on July 27, 1930 in Chicago to Simon and Thelma Johnson. She married Ralph “Pete” Erickson on February 5, 1950 North of Ottawa at Freedom Lutheran Church. Together they built and ran Prairie Lake Hunt Club & Lodge. She later married Donald Abernathy on December 26, 1982, and they devoted their time and energy to Friendship Village and spent many happy years as members of the Shoreline Boat Club. Clarice lived her life to the fullest and was always up for an adventure. In her younger years she sang for the John Duffy Orchestra. She worked hard, enjoyed traveling, boating, cooking, and golfing. When visiting her winter home at Olde Mill Stream in Umatilla, Florida, Clarice spent time bowling, playing shuffle board, and played in many card clubs. She was a member of the Moose Lodge, Shoreline Boat Club and Immanuel Lutheran Church. She will always be remembered for her radiant smile.
She is survived by three children; Jeff (Carliss) Erickson, of Boulder, CO, Joanne Johnson, of Sycamore, Jene’ (Jerry) Pitsenbarger, of Ottawa; six grandchildren, Rebeccah (Ryan) McIntosh, Callie (José Bonilla) Johnson, Donald (Daphne Vassmer) Johnson, Shannon Smith, Lindsey (Chris) McFadden, and Jared Pitsenbarger; and five great grandchildren, Tyler and Hunter Smith, Morgan Hecht, Brooks McIntosh, and Brennon McFadden.
Clarice is also survived by the children of Don Abernathy, all from Ottawa; Nancy Brown, Betty (Bill) Shields, Dave (Susie) Abernathy; five grandchildren, Kim Diss, Kelly Shymanski, Jeffrey Shields, Zach Abernathy and Jordy (Jenny) Abernathy; and six great grandchildren, Eli Diss, Garrett Shymanski, Mia Abernathy, Jeremiah Abernathy, Jack Abernathy and Summer Hoagland Abernathy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Thelma Johnson; her husbands, Ralph “Pete” Erickson in 2014 and Donald Abernathy in 2001; a son Randy Erickson; granddaughter, Corby Herzog; grandson Jeremy Abernathy and great-grandson, Carsen Smith.
Over the past eleven years Clarice was blessed with a host of kind and caring caregivers that assisted Joanne with her care. Our heartfelt thanks to Antanyia Griffis, Carol Peddicord, Rebecca Anderson, Lisa Carroll and our dear friend Jean Reuther.
Our sincere gratitude goes out to the amazing individuals from Northern Illinois Hospice who provided Clarice with the most complete and gentle care during her last days.
In lieu of flowers the family would like all memorials to be directed to Northern Illinois Hospice or Kapper Adult Day Service.
Clarice was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, IL.