SR0661 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Helen Kaiser as an expression of our deepest sympathy.