Bill Text: IL SR0661 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Helen Jean Kaiser of Morton.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-17 - Resolution Adopted [SR0661 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0661-Introduced.html

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SR0661 LRB103 35856 MST 65941 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Helen Jean Kaiser of Morton, who
passed away on December 8, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser was born in Waukegan to Everett and
Flora (Zenor) Smith on February 28, 1928; she graduated from
Morton High School; she married Joe Merchenthaler in 1949 and
Harold "Lem" Kaiser in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser worked in the medical office of Dr.
Monroe for many years and then later at the First National Bank
of Morton; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser and her first husband, Joe, loved to
go antiquing and collected vintage glassware and dishes; they
vacationed often in Hot Springs, Arkansas; after his passing,
she married Lem and embraced the role of mother and
grandmother in the Kaiser family; she doted on the many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they provided much
joy to her and Lem; she loved family get-togethers with
extended family and could always be counted on to pack a
delicious picnic lunch for outings to the park and holiday
meals with all the trimmings; she and Lem enjoyed taking bus
trips with their friends and traveling to Florida, Hawaii, and

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Cancun, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser was interested in history and
genealogy and donated many items from the Zenor family farm to
the Putnam County Historical Society; she also had a gift for
painting still life pictures; she was a member of the
Apostolic Christian Church and was deeply committed to her
faith; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser was preceded in death by her first
husband, Joe Merchenthaler; her second husband, Harold; and
her brother, Robert (Jane) Smith; and
WHEREAS, Helen Kaiser is survived by her stepchildren,
Loren "Lon" (Cindy) Kaiser, Thomas (Lisa) Kaiser, Jean (Don)
Lashbrook, and Scott (Julie) Kaiser; her nieces and nephews,
including Barbara Laugel; her sisters-in-law, Katherine Kaiser
and Wilma Stieglitz; her grandchildren, Jeff (Mary) Kaiser,
Kim Emery, Heather (Ryan) Gray, Joe Williamson, Dawn (Brian)
Sharpe, Terah (Jason) Allen, Angie (Andy) Ogburn, Weston
Taylor, Jesse (Emily) Lashbrook, and Jake and Laura Kaiser;
and 21 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Helen Jean Kaiser and extend our sincere condolences to her

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family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further