Lois M. Flack, 95, of Shannon passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at Good Samaritan Center, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Lois was born May 5, 1918, in Shannon, the daughter of Poppo and Elsie (Hasselman) Janssen. She graduated from Shannon High School in 1936. She married Leonard Flack on August 12, 1937, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.
Lois and Leonard began their life together in Pearl City, IL, and in 1938 moved to the Shannon area to continue farming. They worked together on the farm raising children, crops, beef cattle, pigs, and poultry. Lois was Leonard's best friend as well as being a devoted mother and grandmother. Lois raised vegetables in her large garden and enjoyed growing beautiful flowers. Lois and Leonard had a small transparent apple orchard which produced a family tradition of picking apples every summer. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing many of her children's clothing as they were growing up. Leonard died on April 22, 2004.
Lois was very active in the Shannon Bethel United Methodist church. She taught Sunday school and was involved in UMW Circle and Bible Study groups. Although Lois was never a 4-H leader, she helped her children be successful in their various 4-H projects and activities. Lois was a member of the Florence and Friends 'n Neighbors Units of Stephenson County Home and Community Education Association for 63 years. She held various offices in both units and served on their county board. Lois supported her community as a member of the former Shannon Women's Club.
Lois was an active supporter of agriculture. Lois and Leonard were co-chairmen of the Stephenson County Ag Breakfast. Through their diligent efforts, it was a yearly success and enjoyed by all who attended. As a member of the Beef Auxiliary, she held county and state offices. Lois was an active partner behind the scenes for the many years Leonard presided over the Stephenson County Fair Board.
Lois was awarded the "Women of Excellence Award of Agriculture" the second year it was presented. She was named Homemaker of the Year in 2011. Lois and Leonard were named the Stephenson County Conservation Farm Family of the Year in 1993.
Surviving are her daughter, Ardath (Verlo) DeWall, Shannon, and her son, Alan (Sherry) Flack, Shannon, her son-in-law, Ronald Krum, Mt. Carroll and her sister-in-law, Aleen
Webber, Wildwood, Florida. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Anne Barlow, Marshfield, WI, Jennifer (Rick) Lowry, Milton, WI, Mark ( Rachel) Gusse, Elkhorn, NE, Matthew (Colline) Gusse, Dixon, IL, Susan Miller, Bloomington, IL, Steve DeWall (Fiance Mary), Shawano, WI, Jeffrey (Lori) DeWall, Poplar Grove, IL, Tom (Kelly) Flack, Shannon, and Becky Flack, Medina, TX; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, her daughter, Charlene, her parents, and her brother, Donald Janssen.
Her celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2014, at Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church with Rev. Stephen Aram and Rev. Diane Jochum officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at Shannon Bethel United Methodist Church and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport, IL. A memorial has been established.