Laurine E. Thurnau

Laurine Evelyn Thurnau, age 88 of Saint Jacob, IL, died Monday, April 21, 2014, at Faith Care Center-FCH in Highland, IL. She was born August 21, 1925, in Pierron, IL, the daughter of Melvin A. and Bertha M. (nee Rochelle) Knebel. On October 24, 1951, she married Harold Paul Thurnau who passed away on June 23, 2013. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church. She was also a member of St. Jacob Fireman's Auxillary; Madison County Home Extension; St. James Altar Society; St. Jacob Home Coming Association. Laurine was born in rural Pierron. She was a 1943 graduate of Highland High School. After her marriage she and her husband moved to St. Jacob and she lived there until moving to Faith Care Center almost 6 years ago. She had worked as a Secretary for Attorney Don Rikke and as a Secretary for Obering Oil Company in St. Jacob. When she started her family she stayed home with her children. She sold Stanley Home Products and was Treasurer for the Village of St. Jacob for a number of years. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and family and was an avid Bingo player. She also enjoyed cooking, collecting cookbooks, walking, and helping with St. Jacob Strawberry Festival ( from its beginning), worked on St. Jacob History Book, being part of Community activities in the Village of St. Jacob, picking, eating and cooking strawberries. She enjoyed time with neighbors and babysitting her grandchildren. Laurine took care of her daughter Jane who was blind and on dialysis for over 10 years. Survivors include : Daughter - Mary A. Rottmann, Highland, IL Son - James L. (Sandy) Thurnau, Galesburg, IL Son - Steven G. (Susan) Thurnau, Saint Jacob, IL Daughter - Judith L. (Louis) Berkley, Conway, SC Grandchild - Shelli L. (Gary) Claro, Highland, IL Grandchild - Dennis A. (April) Rottmann, Pierron, IL Grandchild - Jenny R. Thurnau, Milwaukee, WI Grandchild - Carrie A. Thurnau, Galesburg, IL Grandchild - Bobby L. Berkley, Conway, SC Grandchild - Stefan M.(Lyndsie) Thurnau, Florissant, MO Grandchild - Cindy L. Berkley, Highland, IL Grandchild - Stacey J. Thurnau, Collinsville, IL Grandchild - Shari B. Thurnau (Fiancee Jeff Keffer), Collinsville, IL Great Grandchildren - Eight Great Great Grandchild - One Sister - Ethel Ludwig, Afton, MO Brother In-law - Warren (Betty) Thurnau, Saint Jacob, IL Sister In-law - Olive Nungesser, Alhambra, IL Sister In-law - Eleanor Pirok, Highland, IL Brother In-law - Clifford (Betty) Thurnau, Edwardsville, IL Sister In-law - Joan (George) Willaredt, Edwardsville, IL Brother In-law - Robert (Dorothy) Thurnau, Saint Jacob, IL Brother In-law - Dale Gerstenecker, Columbia, IL She was preceded in death : Father - Melvin A. Knebel died 4/9/1958 Mother - Bertha M. Knebel nee Rochelle died 4/29/1975 Husband - Harold P. Thurnau died 6/23/2013 Daughter - Joan Marie Thurnau stillborn died 8/23/1974 Daughter - Jane M. Thurnau died 3/9/1995 age 37 Grandchild - Mark Rottmann died 1/5/1995 at age 18 Brother - Leslie Knebel died 2/20/1993 Brother In-law - Delmar Nungesser died 8/31/1984 Brother In-law - Henry Pirok died 10/6/2012 Sister In-law - Jeanette M. Taylor died 12/15/2009 Brother In-law - Louis Taylor died 3/2/2011 Sister In-law - Lyla Gerstenecker died 11/3/2005 Brother In-law - Charles Ludwig died 3/2/2002 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL, and from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, on Friday, April 25, 2014, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 25, 2014, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL, with Father Pat G. Jakel officiating. Interment will be at Keystone Cemetery in Saint Jacob, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Church

Laurine E. Thurnau

August 21, 1925 - April 21, 2014