Pauline Marie Erbsen (1936-2021)

ERBSEN, BOVRE, OPPERMAN, MICKEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

Obituary for Pauline Marie Erbsen
Pauline Marie Erbsen, 84, of Lanark went to be with her Lord on April 28th, 2021. She was born December 29, 1936 in Lanark, IL, daughter of Paul & Blanche (Guenzler) Diffenderfer. She married Kenneth Erbsen on August
4, 1957 in Lanark.

Pauline graduated from Lanark High School in 1954. Her first job was at
Zentner Drug Store where she met Kenneth. Upon marriage her and
Kenneth became full time dairy farmers, working side by side until his death in 1994. She and her family continued the farming operation and
development of Erbacres Holsteins.

She was an active member of the Lanark First Brethren Church where she
served as a deaconess, member of Women’s Missionary Circle, and sang
in the choir. She also served as a 4-H Leader and was involved in many
agricultural activities throughout Carroll County. Along with her family, she was an active member of the Illinois Holstein Association and was honored with their Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

Pauline welcomed many international guests into her home over the years
and maintained lifelong friendships with these young people. She enjoyed
gardening, quilting, baking, and serving others. Her greatest joy was
spending time with her family.

Survivors include her six children: Paula (Rick) Bovre, Fond du Lac, WI,
Kathleen (Bob) Opperman, Rockford, IL, Kevin (Wendy) Erbsen, John
Erbsen, and Carl (Becky) Erbsen, all of Lanark, IL, and Carla (Jon) Mickey, Taylorville, IL, nine grandchildren: Justin (Brenda) Opperman, Megan (fiance Travis Schafer), Connor, Nathan, Nevin, Payton, Delana Erbsen, Tanner and Drew Mickey, and six great-grandchildren: Adalynn, Leighton, Willah, Justus, Evers, and Haddon Opperman. She is also survived by sisters MaryAnne (Bill) Dailey, Alice (Dave) Nix, and Janet Gruhn, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
husband Kenneth, parents Paul & Blanche Diffenderfer, and in-laws
Theodore & Emma Erbsen.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2021, at the Lanark First
Brethren Church, with visitation 5:00 - 800 p.m. Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the Church, and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Pauline’s memory.
Law Jones Eastland is in charge of arrangements.