Gertrude E. ‘Kay’ Diederich, 96, Wonder Lake, died Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock with her daughter by her side. She was born Sept. 19, 1917, to George B. and Elise (Schow) Hesbol in Chicago.  Always proud of her Norwegian heritage, she was also a proud first-generation American. A summer resident of Wonder Lake from 1939, she and her family became year-round residents in 1953.  She was employed at Sears in Chicago for nine years, where she was a manager in retail sales.  After moving to Wonder Lake, she owned and operated Kay’s Gift Shop in Wonder Lake from 1953 until 1986.  In 1987, she began working at Jewel in Crystal Lake, where she greeted customers at

Cynthia A. Thomfohrda, 64, Woodstock, died Saturday, May 24, 2014, at her home. She was born Oct. 31, 1949, to George A. and Barbara (Schroeder) Loser in Chicago. On May 23, 1991, she married Willard “Woody” Thomfohrda in Woodstock. She graduated from McHenry High School in 1968. She worked for more than 20 years at Town Tap, Woodstock, as a bartender and manager. She also worked at Eagle Food Stores and Swiss Maid Bakery in Woodstock. She enjoyed camping, baking and canning. She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Barbie (Charles) Braden, Diane Ange and Deborah Wagner; three brothers, George N. (Lorraine) Loser, Steven (Kathi) Loser and Leonard (Holly) Montcalm; a sister, Kathleen Heber;

BJ Jones, 77, Woodstock, died on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, in her home of natural causes. She wrote her own obituary as follows: BJ was born April 6, 1937 to Ward and Ruth (Kirk) Coull in Mobridge, S. D.; but not before a neighbor with a team of horses helped Ward get out of their valley and traverse several miles of mud to reach a gravel road on which to go another 35 miles to the hospital. BJ’s family lived on a farm 5 miles from Glencross and 10 miles from Timber Lake, a larger town with a population of about 600. Because there were no men available to work on the farm at the end of World War II,

Phyllis Marie Burba, 54, died Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. She was born Dec. 13, 1959, to Joseph and Patricia J. (Burkland) Burba Sr. in Seaside, Calif. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. She worked as a nurse for more than 25 years. Most of that time was spent at Glen Oaks Hospital. She was dedicated to her profession and was happiest helping others. She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include her parents; two daughters, Laura Wilson and Rachel (Garrett) Gore; a grandchild, Maizy Gore; a brother, Joseph Burba Jr.; two sisters, Christine Ann Burba and Patricia Esposito; and her adored dogs, Joey and grand-dog Pixie. She was

Patricia A. Nelson, 73, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in Sarasota, Fla.  She was born Feb. 7, 1941, to Patrick J. and Catherine A. (Nolan) Murray.  On Nov. 21, 1959, she married Richard J. Nelson at St. Patricks Church, Hartland. Patricia worked at the McHenry County Government Center for more than 20 years. Her passion was genealogy, and she was a member of the McHenry County Historical Society for many years. She enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota and summers at their trailer in Milton, Wis. She loved spending time with family and friends, playing games, especially bingo and taking trips on their Harley. She is survived by her husband; three children, Linda (Jim) Jahn, Wonder Lake, David (Debbie) Nelson,

Mary Louise Figard, 62, Woodstock, died May 15, 2014, at the Holy Family Medical Center, Des Plaines, surrounded by her family. She was born Aug. 13, 1951, in Elkhorn, Wis. to Raymond and Christina (Postma) Wiersma.  On Aug. 7, 1971, she married Terry Figard in Hebron. She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, where she sang almost 43 years in the church choir. She enjoyed craft work of all kinds, and made many items to be sold at Mistletoe Magic to benefit local charities. She enjoyed the outdoors, particularly gardening. She was also a seamstress and loved making cookies with her grandchildren. She always smiled. She was devoted to her family and friends, worshiped her grandchildren and will

May-June Curtis, 79, Woodstock, died Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 13, 1935, to Joseph and Sophie (Gelchshiemer) Haydysch in Chicago. On Aug. 5, 1955, she married Edward Ray Curtis at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Palatine. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Cary. She loved cooking and baking for her family, and her food was always excellent. She also enjoyed gardening, raising canaries, going fishing and making wine. Her greatest joy was participating in the lives of her grandchildren and supporting them in all their activities and at numerous events. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who

Lloyd James Hoover, 80, Wonder Lake, died Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry.  He was born Aug. 4, 1933, to William and Evelyn (Rice) Hoover in Warwick, N. D. On Feb. 23, 1963, he married Claudette Ksiazyk in Evanston. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Germany during peacetime from 1955 to 1957.  Previously of Chicago, he lived in Wonder Lake since 1998. He was employed as a roofer for United Roofing of Chicago for more than 45 years. He was a member of United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local #11. He loved spending time at his Wisconsin home. He enjoyed cowboy movies, especially John Wayne movies, and hosting barbecues. He will be remembered fondly

Allan Lee Busse, 68, formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Albuquerque, N.M. He was born March 16, 1946, in Chicago to Edward and Ruth (Wilkens) Busse. For many years he owned and operated The House Doctor, with customers from all over McHenry County. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of AMVETS. Survivors include: his mother; four daughters, Melissa Stakes, Adrenne Busse-Kus, Jeanette Busse and Vanessa Busse; a brother, Edward (Katrina) Busse; two sisters, Janis (Steven) Schroeder and Susan Busse; three grandchildren, Hannah, Brian and Gavin; and his ex-wife, Shirley Busse. He was preceded in death by his father. The visitation and funeral were May 17 in the chapel

Phillip D. Meier, 88, Woodstock, died Thursday, May 8, 2014, died at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock.  He was born Nov. 4, 1926, to Henry and Doris Meier in Columbia City, Ind., and was the last survivor of seven siblings. In 1956, he married the love of his life, Bette Marie Knafel. Raised in Indiana farm country, he was awarded an early high school diploma so he could join the Navy during World War II.  He served as a radio operator on a PBY sea plane, deployed on South Pacific search and rescue patrols. After the war, he attended business school.  Combining a sharp mind with a will of iron and a strict work ethic, he became a successful salesman and business