Leona E. Gridley

Leona E. Gridley, 87Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and FriendLeona E. Gridley, 87, of Winnebago, IL., loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed on to Heaven January 5, 2011 at P.A. Peterson Center For Health surrounded by family. Born June 28, 1923 in Soudan, MN, daughter of Hans William and Elizabeth Wirtala Johnson. Leona married William H. Gridley on October 24, 1943 in Astoria, Oregon. Employed at Rockford Memorial Hospital, Illinois Bell of Rockford and Roper. Leona dedicated her life to helping others with her love, warmth, kindness and generosity. She loved to cook, bake, knit, sew, golf and play the piano. She was a long time member of Court Street United Methodist Church and volunteer for Wesley Willows Auxiliary.Survived by her loving husband of 67 years, William; daughters, Randee (Stan) Dalzell, Susan Stralow, Paulette (Dan) McKirgan and Lisa (Tim) Farrell; grandchildren, Karen (Andy) Drummond, John (Nichole) Dalzell, Stephanie (Craig) Garwick, Matthew (Dianna) Stralow, Amanda (Scott) Hayes, Stacey and Jessica Farrell; great-grandchildren, Ashley Garwick, Faith and Zachary Dalzell, May Drummond, Chase and Brooklyn Farrell, Ava and Ella Hayes; sisters, Gertrude Johnson of Virginia, MN, Lorraine Anderson of Las Vegas, NV; brother, William Johnson of Virginia, MN and numerous other family members and friends. Predeceased by son, William, parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. The family would like to thank Hospice Care of America and the staff of the first floor pathway wing at P.A. Peterson for the care they gave Leona. Leona's decision to donate her body for scientific research will allow her loving and generous spirit to live on.A celebration of Leona's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with Rev. Keith Kelsey-Powell, Court Street United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service. Private family burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Court Street United Methodist Church, Hospice Care of America or P.A. Peterson Center For Health. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.