Lillian Clara Haas , 102, of Stockton, IL died Sunday, January 2 ^nd , 2022 at her home in Stockton.

She was born September 30, 1919, in Pleasant Valley Township in rural JoDaviess County, the daughter of John and Wilhelmina(Mary)(Randecker) Breuning. She and James Haas Sr. were married June 18, 1944 at the Good Hope Lutheran Church by the Rev.William Meinen.

Lillian worked several places before she married James, the last being Shimer College in food service. Lillian was an excellent cook and was best known for her famous apricot cookies. She perfected an age old recipe that has been replicated by only a few in spite of many hands on lessons she gave to learn her craft. Lillian spent her whole life working alongside James her husband as a homemaker and farm wife. She prepared countless multi course meals for many farm hands through the years. Lillian took great pride in the appearance of her and her husband's property in the grooming of their lawn. She had come to be known as "Ladybird Haas" and always acted in a manner that reflected the true classy lady that she was. She was always planting flowers, repotting plants and pruning her bushes to the delight of her natural "green thumb" inside and outside of her home. She was able to bring many plants back to life once it seemed impossible by others. She had an uncanny ability to remove stains from clothing with concoctions unknown to others for a pristine finished result. Each new stain was a brand new challenge.  Lillian cared for her husband in the home during and up to the last days of his life teaching us the true meaning of self-sacrifice and the words she lived by, "Be kind, gentle, and loving". Lillian contributed her long life to enjoying Hershey bars. She always loved feeding her birds and admiring the many species that flew in especially her red cardinals.

She dearly loved her family. Family to her was everything and she always welcomed them into her home with open arms. In Lillian's eyes all her girls were beautiful and her boys were handsome. Lillian will be missed by many and will always be known and cherished as a creative, loving, gentle soul that had an everlasting zest for life. She was our rock, our family matriarch, and our bright and shining star that never failed us.

She left behind, 6 children, James, Robert, Roger(Janelle), and Julie. 21 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There will be a private family funeral service. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.