Lucille Karnatz, age 97, passed away peacefully at the Lena Living Center in the morning hours of Thursday, April 13, 2023, with the full faith and expectation that eternal life awaits.

She was born Lucille Bernice Ferguson on September 10, 1925, In Lena, IL where she attended Lena schools. She graduated from Lena High School where she met her life partner Marvin Karnatz. They married on December 1, 1943, during Marvin's first military leave and immediately departed to Edmonton, Alberta to make their first home. Unexpectedly, it was largely a long-distance relationship because Marvin was stationed in the Yukon Territory - over a thousand miles away. Following the war years, Lucille settled with Marvin in the western suburbs of Chicago and lived in Aurora, IL for over 40 years. During that time, she was a devoted stay at home mom to three children - occasionally working outside the home to support the family's love of travel around the United States.

In the late Sixties, she began working for the Illinois Department of Public Health - a move that, in part, helped to rekindle a long-term interest in healthcare. That led to her decision, at age 50, to attend college to become a Registered Nurse. Lucille's career in nursing spanned almost 20 years and included experience in medical offices, hospitals, and hospice care. However, she considered her time at Marianjoy, a well-known rehabilitation center in Wheaton, IL as her most challenging and rewarding contribution.

Lucille and Marvin maintained strong ties with family and friends in Lena. They kept a second home there and, on retirement in 1989, returned as full-time residents. Lucille was active in the community and focused much of her energy at St. John's Lutheran Church where she was active as a learner, a quilter, and a parish nurse.

Lucille is survived by a daughter, Nancy (Jeff) Hering of Rochester, New York and 2 sons, Jim (Peggy) Karnatz of Indianola, Iowa and John (Billie) Karnatz of Bartlett, IL, she also leaves behind seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren as well as brothers in law Vernon Karnatz of Maineschaff, Germany and Norman Wybourn of Lena. She considered long term caregivers Alyssa and Janna Saxby to be family and held a special place in her heart for grandnephew Joshua Karnatz.

She is mourned by a strong and supportive extended family, steadfast churchmates, delightful neighbors and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by husband Marvin in 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 18, 2023, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Lena with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Visitation will also be held on Monday, April 17, 2023, from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to: www.leamonfh.com .

Remembrances may be made to St. John's of Lena, FHN Hospice of Freeport, IL, or any worthy charity.