Marjorie Jo Mapes , age 83, of Stockton, IL passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ. She was born in Madison, WI on October 27, 1941 to the late Harry and Verda (Peterson) Nelson. Marj married Ronald Mapes on February 14, 1960.

Marj attended Highland Community College and went on to receive her degree in Social Work from Clark College. She served as a Probation Officer for Stephenson County for many years. She was involved with the Choices Board and served as President on the Domestic Violence Board.

Marj always had a smile on her face and didn't know a stranger, thanks to her infectious personality. She loved meeting new people and hearing their stories. She had a passion for helping others and making others feel welcome. Marj enjoyed being outdoors and living on the farm. In the summertime, she loved planting flowers and, in her younger years, trail riding with her horse, Smokey. She was a big supporter of her grandchildren, attending every basketball game, volleyball match, and cattle show to watch them show their livestock.

Her hobbies included painting and ceramics, but, most importantly, spending time with her family. The highlight of her year was attending Jazz Fest in New Orleans with her sisters to listen to jazz music and enjoy the art. She was a significant role model to her grandkids, teaching them to cook and playing with them when they were younger. Marj was an avid animal lover to her two cats Josie and Jack.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Mapes of Stockton; her children, Lori (Tim) Zueger of Stockton and Brad (Kim) Mapes of Stockton; her grandchildren, Hilary (Jase), Krista (Dan), Josh, Cheyenne, Cameron and Cierra; her four great grandchildren, Cooper, Carson, Cohen and Kemper; her two sisters, Sandra Nelson and Julia (Tommy) Lewis; and her two sisters-in-law, Cynthia (Steve) Brown and Jackie Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ron Nelson and Bucky Neslon; and her sister, Krissy Mohrbacher.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the Stockton Ambulance.