Stella LaFond

Stella LaFond entered into eternal peace February 8, 2009, on the birthdate of her sister, Viola. For the past 21 years, Stella's journey toward eternal life was saddened with the gradual loss of familiar places and family faces, due to Alzheimer's disease. Humor was a great coping mechanism during the dark times of Stella's life. Everyone will remember Stella's quick, funny responses. Daughter-in-law, nurse Peggy, kept a watchful eye over Stella as the disease progressed, keeping family and friends informed. The distance of the disease may have separated Stella from her family, but we know that her heart never stopped loving us. Stella now dwells in the house of our Lord, and we will be apart again. Yet we will hold her in our hearts, and her memory will live with us forever. Above the canopy of heaven's light, Stella will now gaze upon us with a watchful eye, until our spirits shall join together in the light of eternal life.In Stella's honor, a private family service will be held at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, in west Kankakee. Stella's grandchildren and nephews will carry her to her final resting place, next to her husband and family members at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Deacon Pat Skelly will lead the family as they join hands reciting the Lord's Prayer, as Stella often did with family at St. Rose Church.Stella was born Jan. 12, 1923, in Beaverville, Ill., to Meddie and Jeanette Franceour. Stella and her husband, Ivan, whom she married April 1942, shared 60 years together.Stella had two sons, Ron, wife Paula, and Alan, wife Peggy. Arrival of Stella's grandchildren, Ron LaFond, Dawn (Jeff) Butler, Dustin (Carolyn) LaFond and Darren LaFond, brought great joy to Stella. When great-grandchildren, Sarah and Grace Butler, Taylor and Tristan LaFond were born, "Gramma" wasn't able to share the joys. Ben and Drew Ommen joined the family and never knew their stepdad's loving "Gramma." Never having a daughter, her joys of sharing times with her daughters-in-law, Paula and Peggy, and special nieces, Cathy, Kris, Denise, Kim and Cheryl, were lasting memories.Stella was very close to her sisters, Viola Havens, Odora Davis, Gert Brenneisen; and brother, Bud Franceour, and wife Alice; sister-in-law, Dee Eickhoff; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roland and Lauretta LaFond.If you wanted to find Stella any Sunday during her life, check out the back right pew of St. Rose; dinner at the family farm in Beaverville; or breakfast at Carlo's Restaurant, always with her family at her side.Stella worked as a dental assistant with Dr. Hall for 20 years and later as a clerk with Paradise Flowers. Stella was a faithful, hardworking, kind and considerate person. Stella loved reading, sitting in the sun, gambling on a boat, 22 trips to Las Vegas with sister, Gert, fishing with her son Ron, and numerous family gatherings.Stella was preceded in death by her father and mother; husband Ivan (April 2003); sisters, Viola (Sept. 2007) and Odora (January 2008); special in-law/friend/co-worker, Joyce (December 2008).The angels reported that Stella's first comment was "Where's my purse?"

Stella LaFond

January 12, 1923 - February 8, 2009