Ilene Ellen Monier

  Ilene Ellen Monier, 101, of Lacon Illinois, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Lacon Rehab and Nursing Home.

     She was born December 29, 1921 in Magnolia Illinois, the youngest daughter of the late Arnold and Anna (Fredericks) Steffens.

     Ilene married Ralph Leland Monier of Sparland, Illinois on August 28, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Toluca, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 2016.

     Ilene was baptized in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Toluca, Illinois, July 10, 1922 and confirmed July 12, 1936 at the age of 14. Her memory verse was Psalm 8: 6-9.

     She attended grade and high school in Magnolia, Illinois, graduating in May, 1939. In 1940, Ilene and Irene, her identical twin sister, were in the Twins Convention Pageant in Starved Rock. They came in second place for most beautiful! The following fall Ilene and Irene enrolled in Northwest School of Beauty in Peoria, Illinois. Upon graduation they operated a beauty business in Magnolia and Toluca until 1945. Their hair salon was called “The Twins Beauty Shop”. Irene passed away March 25, 2001.

     After her marriage, Ilene transferred her membership from St. John’s Lutheran Church to the LaPrairie United Presbyterian Church of Sparland. She taught Sunday School and summer Bible School, sang in the choir, and was an avid member of Ladies Missionary (UPW) serving on many committees.

     Ilene and Ralph lived and farmed in rural Sparland. They were in business with C. Leland, Gilbert, and Roger Monier as Monier Hybrids before moving to Lacon in 1982.

     She served on the election board and was member of the Marshall County Historical Society.

     A retired beautician and homemaker, Ilene was eternally optimistic and enjoyed travelling, cooking, playing cards, needlepoint, working at the Marshall-Putnam County Fair, women’s bowling league, and all family events. Her friends made her day and her family was the light of her life.

     Surviving are daughter Ruth Ilene (Craig) Anderson of Barron, Wisconsin and son Mark Leland (Karen) Monier of rural Sparland. Also surviving is one sister-in-law Yvonne Monier of Lacon; grandchildren Christopher (Jenn) Anderson of Fairfax, VA, Bjorn (Elizabeth Clark) Anderson of Portland, OR, Sondra (Nick) Urish of Havana, IL, Hannah (Shay) Foulk of Sparland, IL, Jillian (Michael) Iverson of LaSalle, IL; great granddaughters, Addilyn Urish, Clara Foulk, Kennedy Urish; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by two brothers and eight sisters.

     Visitation for Ilene will be held on April 15 at Lenz Memorial Home in Lacon from 4-6pm with funeral services held on April 16 at 1pm at the LaPrairie United Presbyterian Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. A Piano/ Organ recital by Ruth Anderson will be at 12:45. Burial will be in the LaPrairie Cemetery and memorials can be made to the LaPrairie United Presbyterian Church or LaPrairie United Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com