Helen Louise Cleland, 84

Helen Louise Cleland, 84, of Capron passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, 2015 in Northwoods Care Centre after a lingering illness.  Louise was born Mar. 30, 1930 in Chicago, Ill. the daughter of Roy W. and Clare L. (Fossler) Davis.  Shortly after her birth the family moved to Polo, Ill. where she graduated from high school and was active in 4-H.  Louise went on to earn her teaching degree from Northern Illinois University in 1952.  She taught for a year at North Boone High School prior to marrying William E. Cleland on Jul. 11, 1953 in Polo.  Louise was a writer, who wrote for the Belvidere Daily Republican in the paper’s food section as well as her own column, “Wife on the Farm.”  She also wrote two books, “Wife on the Farm and Wife on the Farm Cookbook”.  She was a life-long member of Capron United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Education was an important part of Louise’s life; she was a room-mother for all her children, member of the PTA as well as serving as an officer, worked with young mothers at risk assisting with education and job skills and taught craft classes at Rock Valley College for the college’s adult education curriculum.  She was a talented crafter and seamstress and a marvelous quilter.  She was a member of the Harvard Quilting Guild and demonstrated quilting at the Pioneer Festival.  She was also a critic for the Quilters Quarterly magazine.  Louise and Bill enjoyed traveling internationally and domestically.  Louise will also be remembered as a wonderful cook, loving wife and doting mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Louise is loved and will be missed by her children, Jerry (Janell) of Highwood, Ill., John (Diane) of Capron, Bruce of Tempe, Ariz., Michael (Vicki) of Roscoe, Barbara (Chuck) Massier of Sycamore,  Steve of Rockford Ill.; grandchildren, Justin (Erika), Scott, Daria, Taylor, Jared, Mikaela, Alicia, Danielle, Erika, Damon, Derek; great-granddaughter, Camryn; sister, Jane (Ted) Benson of Cable, Wis.; sister in-law, Betty Belle (Len) Cherry, Palo Alto, Calif.; nieces and nephews.  Louise is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; sister, Shirley Roller.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 in Capron United Methodist Church, 250 E. North St., Capron, Ill. with Rev. Bob Carroll officiating. Cremation Rites have been accorded.  A memorial gathering will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:45 am, Saturday Jan. 24, 2015 at the church.  Memorials in Louise’s name can be given in care of Capron United Methodist Church, 250 E. North St., Capron, Ill. 61012.  To light a candle or to share a memory, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com