Elsie Mae Stoddard, 97

Elsie Mae Stoddard, 97, daughter of the late Eric and Teresa Akerberg, was born Aug. 26, 1923, in Woodstock, Ill. Having had the precious time to visit with her family, Elsie passed quietly on Jan. 15, 2021, in the comfort of her daughter Lisa’s home.

Elsie grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Woodstock along with seven other siblings. She was extremely proud of her 50+ year membership with Greenwood Homemakers. She enjoyed many years of playing pinochle with friends at the Woodstock firehouse. She was also an avid rummy player and a fierce bingo competitor. Elsie sold her Hoy Avenue home and moved to the Fountains in Crystal Lake, Ill., in June 2017. While there she made many friends. The Fountains CNAs and foodservice staff were always so kind and engaging. Each and every one of the InHome Personal Services staff are incredible, dedicated human beings, and Elsie’s family cannot thank them enough for all their considerate and gentle care.

Elsie married Laurin Stoddard on Sept. 27, 1943, and they were happily married for 46 years before Laurin’s death on June 25, 1989. They were a hardworking farm couple until they sold their milk cows and moved to town. Their union blessed them with five children. Her family was her passion, her job, and she was always there to lend a helping hand whenever she was needed. Her long and wonderful life will forever be cherished by her children, Gene (Pegg) Stoddard of Brodhead, Wis., Dale (Chona) Stoddard of Wheeling, Ill., and Lisa (Alex) Petralia of Island, Lake, Ill.; and daughter-in-law Jenny Stoddard of Mount Carroll, Ill. Elsie is preceded in death by brothers Eric, Walter, William, and sister Marion, as well as her daughter Carol Hillman (January 2019) and son Roger Stoddard (May 2019), and many other beloved family members and friends. Elsie leaves behind her brother Edwin (Polly) Akerberg, and two sisters, Lucille (Bob) Gavers and Helen Joosten.

Elsie, affectionately known as Gma, was interested in the goings on in the lives of her family. She was engaged and very supportive of each of her 16 grandchildren. She made a point of treating them as if they were the most important person in the room. She reveled in the activities of her 21 great-grandchildren and was delighted with her one great-great-granddaughter.

Elsie/Mom/Gma – you are and will always be our Sunshine!

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, visitation, funeral and interment will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home and will be restricted to family only.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Elsie to Main Stay Therapeutic Farm, 6919 Keystone Road, Richmond, IL 60071

 For information, call the funeral home at 815-338-1710 or see the website at slmcfh.com.