Luraine G. Cannell, 96

Luraine G. Cannell, 96, of Garden Prairie, went home to Jesus on Tuesday, Dec. 13, in her Garden Prairie home.

Luraine was born April 2, 1920, to Carl and Annette Johnson while being snowed in just outside Hayward, Minn.

She later moved to Rockford and graduated from Rockford High School in 1938. She worked various jobs eventually working for Dick Shade as a bookkeeper/secretary.

She met her husband James Peter Cannell at a Rural Youth event and they married three years later on Jan. 29, 1946. They farmed the rest of their 65 years together.

Luraine demonstrated being a lifelong learner, of loving and serving well, and how to be a good friend.  She both served and led through PTA, Music Boosters, school boards, 4-H, Extension Council, Homemakers, and Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.  She also taught others her homemaking skills.  Her cookies, bread, and candies were particularly well known. She loved to read and learn new vocabulary.

Most of all, Luraine devoted herself to creating a loving home for her growing family.  She dearly loved to celebrate with each one of them.  Her eyes lit up and her playful attitude rose whenever a grandchild or great-grandchild appeared.  Our warmest thanks and gratitude are extended to the wonderful caregivers that gave Luraine so much love and devotion in these last years.

Luraine is survived by her daughters, Lois Ramon of Belvidere, Carol (Jerry) Falzone of Loves Park, Julie (Marshall) Newhouse of Capron, and Ann (Richard) Carrick of Belvidere; grandchildren, Allison, Scott, Lindsey, Eileen, Leanne, Philip, Kathryn, Bethany, Emily, and Molly; great-grandchildren, Nora, Lucas, Lorelei, Elliot, Josephine, Oliver, Evelyn, Julia, Liam, and Hazel.

Luraine is predeceased by her parents; sister, Marion, brother, Robert; and infant son, James.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, in Anderson Funeral Home, located at 218 W. Hurlbut Ave. in Belvidere. A private family burial will be scheduled at a later date.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, in the funeral home. Memorials will go to Northeast Christian Church and Capron Lions Club.

To share a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.