Lois J. Shaw

LOIS J. SHAW, age 89, of Sugar Grove, passed away at her favorite place, home, on Thursday, October 24, 2013, surrounded by family, friends, and all the prayers from a countryside of friends.She was born May 30, 1924, the daughter of Wilbur and Tona (Wolfe) Bower. Lois grew up on a farm on Dauberman Rd. in Kaneville and attended local schools. She was a proud graduate from Kaneville High School with the class of 1943. Prior to her marriage, Lois found work at the Kaneville Store first before finding a job in the kitchen of Community Hospital in Geneva. Lois met the man of her dreams at the Kaneville Store, Leon Shaw, who supposedly only visited because of gas rationing, but everyone else knew better. The spark they found together fueled a love that would last almost sixty-nine years, but it all began on March 10, 1945 at the parsonage of the Kaneville United Methodist Church. It was a point of pride for both Lois and Leon, but she was always fond of saying that she started out with a sailor but ended up with a farmer. The first year of marriage found Lois and Leon at his parent’s house for a time before making their home on a farm on Lasher Rd. Though the original home grew a bit over the years, it was always overflowing with love, laughter and million memories made by a growing family and wonderful friends. In her "spare time", Lois was generous with her time, volunteering at Community Hospital, was a Sunday school teacher for many years, and was famous for her melodic voice, singing in barber shop quartets, funerals, weddings and anything else that needed a touch of an angels voice. La Kelvine Club, a womens group at Kaneville United Methodist Church, also boasted her as a member. Lois and Leon loved to travel all over the globe. They traveled to over 22 countries between them including Hawaii, Australia, Alaska, Panama Canal, several points in Europe, not to mention every state in the union except for Connecticut. They both were staples at several area restaurants for up to three meals a day, making it difficult for anyone to just "drop by". Once the chores were done, they were on the road! Lois had a wonderful habit of doing the exact thing, sometimes on a daily basis, that drove Leon crazy, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. There was no place or time Lois wouldn’t sing. From early morning to late at night, or down the aisle of the grocery store, Lois sang her favorite songs for all to enjoy. The only thing she loved more were young children, especially her own grandchildren. They all had a special place in her heart and gave her a reason to smile. She is survived by her loving husband Leon, Four children:Cheryl (Bill) Keller of Elburn, Rollin (Sara) Shaw of Sugar Grove, Colleen Christensen of Big Rock and Rene (Marty DeMararis) Shaw of Geneva;Nine grandchildren:Kevin (Susan) Keller, Kimberly Provenzano, Shari (Troy) Schrader, Marcia (Kyle) McKittrick, Wayne (Liz) Shaw,Dane Christensen,Haley Christensen,Paul Borst and Mitchell Borst;Nine great-grandchildren:Jade Schrader, Madison Schrader, Brynley Schrader, Kellan Schrader, Jack McKittrick, Noah McKittrick, Nicolette ProvenzanoJoseph Provenzano and Alexander Keller;One brother, Donald (Donna Vee) Bower;One sister-in-law, Alice May Jandt;Many nieces and nephews and a countryside of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilber and Tona Bower, one great-granddaughter, Gianna Provenzano, a sister, Pauline Breon and one brother, Lysle Bower. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, October 27th, 2013, at Kaneville United Methodist Church. A funeral to celebrate her life will follow on Monday, October 28th, at 10 a.m., at Kaneville United Methodist Church, 46W764 Main St. Rd., Kaneville, IL. Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL. A memorial has been established in her name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Lois Shaw Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.