Lola Mae Cleda Etzkorn Gartner passed away peacefully on May 4, 2022 at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she had been a resident for the past seven years.

Lola was born on May 22, 1927, in Edwardsville, Illinois, the daughter of Ottillie Anna Hug and August Etzkorn.  She graduated from Edwardsville High School in May of 1945.

On August 29, 1948, Lola married her high school sweetheart, August (Gus) Gartner, who predeceased her by about ten years.  Gus and Lola met in the high school dance band where they both played saxophone. Prior to getting married, Lola worked at the abstract office and JC Penney in Edwardsville.

Lola loved her family and was the keeper of the home in the truest sense of the phrases homemaker and housekeeper.  Whether new family members, or guests in her home, she warmly welcomed any and all.  She lived most of her adult life in Park Forest, Illinois where she raised her three children, parenting with great love and support.  She was involved in many church activities at Faith United Protestant Church and enjoyed travelling with Gus, music, singing in the church choir, dancing, bike riding, bowling, sewing, and horseback riding.   She especially loved her children and her grandchildren, who adored her in return. 

Lola and Gus retired and moved to Galena, Illinois and enjoyed many years of activity at First Presbyterian Church, in the community, and living in both the Galena Territory and the Cobblestone neighborhood in Galena.  Lola could make a friend of anyone, whether it was in church or in the line at the grocery store and had a natural ability to meet people where they were.

In the last several years of her life, Lola displayed great courage and graciousness when she lost her ability to speak. but kept her good nature and positive outlook. 

Lola was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Cleaon and Lamoine, and her husband Gus.

Lola is survived by her children Nancy (Loren) Miller of Pickett, Wisconsin, Warren (Karen) Gartner of Victor, Montana, and Diane (John) Boley of Kalamazoo, Michigan; and grandchildren Colleen (Scott) Burdsall, Elizabeth Miller, Robert (Emma) Boley, John (Shauna) Gartner, Ian (Jessica) Boley, James Gartner and Hannah Boley; and ten great grandchildren.

The family will celebrate a graveside service and then have a memorial service including the public at First Presbyterian Church of Galena sometime this summer.  Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Galena, or Hospice of Southwest Michigan/Centrica Care Navigators.