Rodney Cratsenberg, 65, of LaHarpe, IL passed away July 31, 2018 at the LaHarpe -Davier Health Care Center Apartments.
Rodney was born September 3, 1952 in LaHarpe the son of Roland and Margaret Johnson Cratsenberg.
He was a graduate of LaHarpe High School. Following high school he received his bachelors degree from Western Illinois University. He worked as a Spanish Teacher at the Rushville High School, Rushville, IL. He later worked as an auctioneer, realtor and farmed with his father, Roland. He was a member of the LaHarpe Lions Club, LaHarpe Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellow’s, and the LaHarpe Christian Church where he sang in the choir. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and music and singing. Rodney was a caring, selfless and strong Christian man.
Survivors include several cousins and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at the LaHarpe Cemetery with Nate McCarter officiating. Odd Fellow’s Rites will be conducted at the graveside. Masonic Rites will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday, August 6 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe followed by visitation with the family until 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Christian Church. To leave a condolence or to sign the guest book, please visit Rodney’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Anne Armstrong, 89, formerly of Burlington, passed peacefully at 3:15 AM Sunday, July 29, 2018, at the Brighton Gardens of Omaha in Omaha, NE.
Born April 29, 1929, in Denver, CO, she was the daughter of William C. and Anna M. Traudt Horst. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1947.
On October 15, 1948, she married Roderick William Armstrong in Burlington. He passed away July 24, 2013.
Anne was a secretary and later became a Executive Assistant to the Plant Manager at Mason Hanger Silas Mason. She was recognized for her outstanding performance as National Secretary of the Year while working there.
She unequivocally loved her children and grandchildren and wanted them to have fun. She enjoyed waterskiing at the islands on the Mississippi river and taught many of the family how to decorate Christmas cookies and make pies. A long time Jeopardy fan, she enjoyed game shows and recently discovered Cash Cab.
Survivors include one daughter, Carol Thistlethwaite of San Francisco, CA; two sons, Roger (Colleen) Armstrong of Burlington, Eric (Hillary Parker) Armstrong of Carter Lake, IA; four grandchildren, Roderick Armstrong, Nathan Armstrong, Erin Armstrong Hernandez, Christy Lucas; two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one son-in-law, and one great-grandchild.
The Graveside Committal Service for Mrs. Armstrong will be 10:00 AM Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Aspen Grove Cemetery with Dean Graber officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Anna’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Larry Lee Kane 81, of rual LaHarpe, IL died at 4:05 AM Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Oak View Nursing and Rehabilitation in Burlington, IA.
He was born near Stronghurst, IL on September 7, 1936, The son of Everett and Nedra Logan Kane of Lomax, IL. On May 6, 1961 he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Ann Cassell in a military wedding at Ft. Benning, GA.
He received his early education in Monmouth, Il and graduated from Dallas Ciy High School where he was chosen by the American Legion to attend Boy’s State in 1954. After several years of college, he enlisted in the Armed Forces, attended Officer’s Candidate School and was later sent to Germany. Returning to the States, he completed his college education and graduated from Iowa Wesleyn College. Thus, began his 36 year career with General Electric Co. In Burlington, IA and Mt. Laurel, NJ. After retirement in 1999, he enjoyed spending his winters in Naples, FL.
A man of friendly manner, genial personality and good character, Larry was a credit to his family, his church and his community and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a devoted family man, living his whole life entirely for his wife and children. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating with his friends and working in the timber and especially going mushrooming. He and Mary Ann were animal lovers and were known for raising orphaned baby raccoons and German Shepherds. He took great pride in maintaining his home, garden and yard. He was an avid reader. He and his wife especially enjoyed summers spent hiking in the Grand Tetons in WY.
Larry was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City where he had served on the church board and lectured and ushered for many years. He was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Nauvoo, IL.
He volunteered for 17 years with the Boy Scout program in LaHarpe, taking many hikes and camping trips. He served as a Scout Master and was chairman of the Board for both the Cub and Boy Scouts for many years. In 1976, he was the recipient of the District Award of Merit from the Saukee Area Council of Boy Scouts for his service to the youth of the community. He still continued to conduct the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car races for many years thereafter. He guided his two sons through the ranks of Eagle Scouts and was instrumental in supervising the building of the Boy Scout Cabin on the site of Ft. La Harpe in 1976, which is still in use today.
In 1993 he was awarded the La Harpe Summerfest Humanitarian Award. He was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, always opening doors for his beloved wife.
Survivors include his wife and three children: Gregg Kane, Hinsdale, IL; Jennifer Junker, Warrenton, MO; Shawn Kane, Austin, TX. Eight surviving grandchildren include: Jessica, Sarah, Ethan, Will Kane; Jakob and Sawyer Junker; and Jade and Jazmyn Kane and his nearly like a brother, Greg Wisslead. He will be missed by his devoted four legged companion, Skye, who will not understand his absence. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother in infancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 3, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City, IL with Father Tom Szydlik officiating. Buria,l with military rites, will be in the Gittings Mound Cemetery, rural Dallas City. Friends may call after 2:00 P.M. Thursday at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe where a prayer service will be held at 4:30 followed by a visitation with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. A memorial fund has been established for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Allaman Council of the Knights of Columbus. To leave a condolence, please visit his obituary at banksandbeals.com
