Obituary for Margaret "Marge" Jane Kersten
Margaret “Marge” Jane Kersten, 91, of Winnebago, passed away Monday, November 22, 2021, at Serenity Hospice and Home near Oregon. She was born August 13, 1930 in Rockford, the daughter of Roe and Fern (Lace) Wilson. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1948, attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA for two years and then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952. Marge married Willis George Kersten on August 21, 1954 at the Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.
Marge worked in human resources at Eureka Corporation where she met her husband Willis. She taught school in Poplar Grove until becoming a homemaker after the birth of her daughter Laura in 1955. In 1974 she became the secretary for Bob Babcock a Country Insurance Company insurance agent until his retirement in 1994. She then worked for Ben Todaro a Country Insurance Company insurance agent until her retirement.
Marge was a member of the Winnebago United Methodist Church, Winnebago United Methodist Women, Friends Forever Luncheon Group, Gold and Silver Potluck, The Monday Night Book Club, Winnebago County Farm Bureau, and the River Bluff Auxiliary where she volunteered for over twenty years.
Marge enjoyed traveling, especially her and Willis trip to Ireland in 2005. She also enjoyed reading, exercising, crossword puzzles, country music, the Chicago Bulls, attending her grandchildren’s school and athletic events and her great love was her family and friends.
Marge is survived by her daughter, Laura (Ray) Patyk of Kingman, AZ; son, Jeff (Cheryl) Kersten of Winnebago; grandsons, Brad Patyk of Coronado, CA, Zach (Maria) Starnes of Poplar Grove; granddaughters, Cortney Starnes of Gallatin, TN, Ashley Kersten of Winnebago; great-grandson, Noah Starnes of Poplar Grove; great-granddaughters, Emma and Genesis Moreno of Poplar Grove; brother, Richard (Janet) Wilson of Bloomington; several nephews and nieces.
Marge is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Willis Kersten.
Memorial service 12:00 p.m., with a memorial visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Pastor Donald Plock of the Winnebago United Methodist Church officiating. Cremation rites accorded with interment at Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery near Pecatonica. In lieu of flowers memorials will be established for the Rockford Rescue Mission and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
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Marge worked in human resources at Eureka Corporation where she met her husband Willis. She taught school in Poplar Grove until becoming a homemaker after the birth of her daughter Laura in 1955. In 1974 she became the secretary for Bob Babcock a Country Insurance Company insurance agent until his retirement in 1994. She then worked for Ben Todaro a Country Insurance Company insurance agent until her retirement.
Marge was a member of the Winnebago United Methodist Church, Winnebago United Methodist Women, Friends Forever Luncheon Group, Gold and Silver Potluck, The Monday Night Book Club, Winnebago County Farm Bureau, and the River Bluff Auxiliary where she volunteered for over twenty years.
Marge enjoyed traveling, especially her and Willis trip to Ireland in 2005. She also enjoyed reading, exercising, crossword puzzles, country music, the Chicago Bulls, attending her grandchildren’s school and athletic events and her great love was her family and friends.
Marge is survived by her daughter, Laura (Ray) Patyk of Kingman, AZ; son, Jeff (Cheryl) Kersten of Winnebago; grandsons, Brad Patyk of Coronado, CA, Zach (Maria) Starnes of Poplar Grove; granddaughters, Cortney Starnes of Gallatin, TN, Ashley Kersten of Winnebago; great-grandson, Noah Starnes of Poplar Grove; great-granddaughters, Emma and Genesis Moreno of Poplar Grove; brother, Richard (Janet) Wilson of Bloomington; several nephews and nieces.
Marge is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Willis Kersten.
Memorial service 12:00 p.m., with a memorial visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Pastor Donald Plock of the Winnebago United Methodist Church officiating. Cremation rites accorded with interment at Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery near Pecatonica. In lieu of flowers memorials will be established for the Rockford Rescue Mission and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Memorial Visitation
Saturday
4
Dec
10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Memorial Service
Saturday
4
Dec
12:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Cemetery Details
Location
Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery
184 S. Pecatonica Rd.
Pecatonica, IL 61063
Memorial Contribution
Rockford Rescue Mission
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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