ELSIE G. RISSMAN

1918 - 2010

Elsie G. (Riedelsperger) Rissman, 91, of Shabbona, Ill., formerly of Elburn and Hinckley, passed away Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Shabbona Health Care Assisted Living Center, where she had recently made her home.
Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Hinckley, the daughter of Louis and Pauline (Pfisterer) Riedelsperger, Elsie grew up in Hinckley, where she attended local schools.
Elsie was united in marriage Feb. 8, 1938, to Walter M. Rissman; they made their home in Aurora for a time, until 1947, when they began farming in rural Hinckley. In 1952, they moved to the Rowe farm on Keslinger Road, and for a time, she worked at National Electronics (formerly Cetron). They continued to make their home on the farm until 1968, when they purchased the HI WAY Lounge in Shabbona. Retiring in 1979, they continued to make their home in Shabbona, where Walter passed away in 1988. In the years since, Elsie continued to make her home in Shabbona with the help of her loving family.
Like her mother before her, Elsie was a good home maker and housekeeper. They might have lived on a farm but she would have no animals in her house – except the dog that David would sneak into the basement on cold winter nights! Elsie's word was law and the punishment for breaking the rules would often be being chased out the door with a broom.
Elsie loved to collect antiques: Figurines, paper weights, antique furniture, antique dolls all had places in her heart and home. Although she had no hobbies, she was an avid Walmart shopper. Her travels never brought her farther from home than where she could get back to her own bed at night. Elsie was a good cook, always making something to make one's mouth water. During their farming years, Elsie took charge of the house while Walter took care of the farm. Later, they ran the HI WAY Lounge, where she helped in the kitchen.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hinckley.
She is survived by four children, Marcia (Bill) Mikesell of South Elgin, David (Karren) Rissman of Elburn, Vicki (Ken) Lackey of St. Charles and Gary (Beverly) Rissman of Sugar Grove; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; former son-in-law, Larry (Diana) Erickson of Kaneville; former daughter-in-law, Dianne Rissman of Buena Vista, Calif.; many nieces and nephews; and a countryside full of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter; son, Darryl; daughter, Connie; and six siblings, Florence, Clara, Martha, Walter, Ronald and Ella.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 10, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hinckley. Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Hinckley.
A memorial will be established in Elsie's memory to benefit Immanuel Lutheran Church and other charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Elsie Rissman Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.
Tributes and memories also may be forwarded to the family at the same address or through the obituary at www.conleycare.com. For additional information, call 630-365-6414.