Helen Lois Limbaugh, 85

Helen Lois Limbaugh, known by everyone as Lois, of Woodstock, IL passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025 at her home.  She was 85.   

She was born on May 22, 1939, on her maternal grandmother’s birthday, to Stanley and Helen (Thompson) Hunt in Hartland IL.   Lois was raised in the Ringwood community, along with 4 brothers and 1 sister, attended the 2 room Ringwood grade school and the Ringwood First United Methodist church.   She sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.   She graduated from Woodstock High School in 1957.   On June 14, 1958, she married Eugene (Gene) Limbaugh in Woodstock, where they raised 3 children, Elaine, Lynell and Brad.   Growing up her greatest passion was sewing, starting at age 8 in 4-H.   Along with sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, crochet, crafts of all kinds, cooking and gardening were always part of her life.  If she didn’t know how, she would create and teach herself.   She was always tending to her flower gardens and enjoyed watching the seasonal birds and her favorite hummingbirds return year after year.  Making clothes, blankets or curtains for her children and grandchildren was a favorite pastime, always happy to whip something up, as well as mending for anyone needing it.  Several Halloween costumes were made for all of her children.   She later learned quilting and created some beautiful quilts that she enjoyed doing with good friends.   Her latest craft project was making gnome ornaments.   There wasn’t much she wouldn’t try.  

She had a love for animals, especially her beloved dachshund Lindy.  Most of her life, there were dogs raised from puppies, dogs adopted along with a few stray cats, and all animals that her children brought home were welcome.  Her passion for dogs carried over to training and instructing 4-H members in the McHenry County dog training program.   After raising her children, Lois also enjoyed working for 10 years in the paint department at Woodstock Farm & Fleet, working with good people and earning the title of best department of the month.  Her biggest joy was having family gatherings for birthdays, holidays, and just for fun, always enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her thoughtfulness, a loving word of advice, or a cooking or gardening technique to share, will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  

She is survived by her husband, Gene; her 3 children, Elaine (Tim) Eckert, Lynell (Mike White), and Brad (Beverly); granddaughter, Sara (Matt) Greenwald, grandson Jacob (fiancé Stacy) Schalz; great-grandchildren, Myka, Ronan and Tamsyn Greenwald. 

Lois was proceeded in death by her parents, 3 brothers Wesley, Jim, Walter and 1 sister, Louise McCoy.   

A Celebration of Life will be on April 12,2025 at 11am at First United Methodist church, Woodstock, IL.   

Her family would like to extend a special thank you to the JourneyCare hospice caregivers for the wonderful care she received and their support to her family.  Memorials may be made to JourneyCare or Woodstock First United Methodist church.