Mary "Mary Lou" Louise (Liebich) Yankaitis

Mary “Mary Lou” Louise Liebich Yankaitis, 89, of Rockford and Lake Ripley, WI, died at her Rockford home June 16, 2017 in the care of her family.  Born September 24, 1927 in Rockford, daughter of William and Mary (Lemble) Liebich. She graduated West Rockford High School 1945 and was a driving force of its Reunion Committee since 1955. Married Thomas Johin Yankaitis in Rockford June 1, 1952 at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Mary Lou’s life revolved around the many people, places, and organizations that she was quietly passionate about and loyal to during her lifetime. She so loved her hometown of Rockford and its history.  She was Treasurer at the Rockford Historical Society, Newsletter Editor at Graham- Ginestra House, Rockford Writer’s Guild and Editor of St. Mary Church’s 100th Anniversary book.  Her writings reflected her love of family, animals (especially her dogs), and local history. Her avid love of books led to correspondence with well-known authors, complimenting them on their works and including helpful lists of grammatical corrections. For more than 50 years she worked and enjoyed her cottages at Lake Ripley, Wisconsin.

Her many hats included Bookkeeper, Executive, Personal and Financial Secretary, and Editor at various positions including Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Chicago Motor Club, West Rockford High School, Rockford Education Association, City of Rockford, Emmanual Lutheran Church, and Mildred F. Berry.  Elected to the Rockford District #205 School Board in 1975. Member Rockford Board of Education Retired Secretaries, Rock Valley Postcard Club, Winnebago and Boone County Genealogical Society, and a ten year Pink Lady volunteer, Rockford Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include sons, Tom, Bill, and Mike (Jen Blahnik) and daughter Sue (Wiersholm); grandchildren, Jenni Hanner (Bill), Nick, Nate (Kayla), Amanda, Jake, Lars and Justina Wiersholm; special nephews, Jack Thurow (Betty) and Carl Thurow (Sue); nieces, Judy Coffey (Bob) and Sylvia Swanson; cousins, Susan Lemble Perry, Helenn Reitsch Franzgrote, and several cousins in Germany. Predeceased by parents; husband, Tom; brother, George Liebich and his wife, Ina; sisters, Teresa (Henry) Thurow, Gertrude (Johnny) Odorski, and Margaret (Frank) Swanson.

Memorials to PAWS Humane Society, Rockford Historical Society, or Jefferson County (WI) Humane Society.

Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory – Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park with a visitation from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Reception to immediately follow.

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