Lockhart, Lois M.

LOCKHART, ANDERSON, ROBERTSON, HUGHES, RICHARDSON, RISING, WEEKS, WALD, PRESSER, LARSON, HARMON, LEFF, CARLSON, LEEDY

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 2/28/2010 at 08:08:08

Lockhart, Lois M.
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BATAVIA, Ill. — Lois M. Lockhart, 96, Batavia, passed away February 14th, 2010, at her residence in The Holmstad Community. She was born in Batavia, Easter Sunday 1913, the fifth of six children of Elof and Nellie Anderson. She was married to Willis "Doc" Robertson on March 28, 1948, for 18 years until his death in 1966. She was married to Robert Lockhart in 1973 for 9 years until his death in 1982. She resided in Fulton from 1973-2001, before moving to The Holmstad in Batavia.She graduated salutatorian from Batavia High School in 1930. She joined the National Farm Loan Association of Geneva. During the Great Depression, she became a strong advocate for farmers to help save their farms by persuading banks and insurance companies to accept smaller amounts, rather than to foreclose. She was a licensed insurance broker and was instrumental in organizing and incorporating the Kane County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.She was a pioneer for the participation of women in business. She was the first woman in the United States to hold the position of secretary treasurer of the National Farm Loan Association. She was the first woman member of the Federal Land Bank Association. She was the first woman on the Illinois and National Boards of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. She was also the first woman to serve on the Church Council of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia. Lois was an intrepid traveler, visiting all 50 states and many countries on all the continents except Antarctica. She made several trips to her ancestral home in Sweden. Her travels gave her the opportunity to avidly engage in her interest in photography, using her camera to create travelogues that were presented to many organizations and gatherings. For 13 years, she was also the official photographer for the Illinois and National Conventions of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.She was a dedicated philanthropist. Her generosity began at home by helping her brothers and sisters pay for college and medical school. Among the organizations that have benefited from her donations are Winning Wheels, a residential rehabilitation center in Prophetstown, The Franciscan University where she provided scholarships, the YWCA and public libraries in Batavia and Fulton, Illinois. She was a lifetime member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, Batavia, IL, and associate member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton, IA, charter member of the Zonta Club for business and professional women, the Fulton Women's Club, holding all offices, the Fulton Women's Golf Association, Order of the Eastern Star and a YWCA Sustaining Member.She is survived by her brother, Roy (Gladys) Anderson, Glenville, New York; her stepson Jon (Vickie) Lockhart, Olive Branch, MS; nieces, Marilyn Hughes, Oshkosh, WI; Ruth Ann (Dick) Richardson, Tomahawk, WI; Jane (Robert) Rising, Estes Park, CO; Mary (Tom) Weeks, Ellensburg, WA; Barbara (Robert) Wald, Chicago, IL; Dorothy (Alan) Presser, Lynnfield, MA; nephews Donald (Kayval) Larson, Sister Bay, WI; Paul (Marjorie) Anderson, Oxford, OH; David (Marguerite) Anderson, Washington, DC.She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husbands, Doc and Robert; her companion of many years Harold Harmon; three sisters, Ruth (Reuben) Leff, Elna (Robert) Larson, Esther (Herman) Carlson; one brother, Robert (Esther) Anderson; and a niece, Joanne Leedy.A special thank you to those who cared for her these past few months in her home; Lifecare Innovations: Holly, Patricia, Bintu, Juliette and staff and the Vitas Innovative Hospice Care nurses and staff.A memorial celebration of life service will be held March 27th at Bethany Lutheran Church 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia, IL. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with memorial service to follow. The Moss Family Funeral Home in Batavia is assisting the family. Memorial contributions in Lois's name may be directed to the Bethany Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund and Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 580 Waters Edge, Lombard, IL 60148.Death date: Feb. 14, 2010
Published in the Clinton Herald from 2/19/2010 - 2/21/2010