Elizabeth Leora "Lisa" Paddack

Elizabeth Leora (Brown) Paddack, Lisa, of Mason City, IL, passed away on October 14, 2025, surrounded by family, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born on March 31, 1938, in Wray, CO, to Audrie Myrl and Evelyn Otelia (Wilber) Brown.
Lisa was always in a hurry to grow up. She played piano for her church and school beginning in 5th grade.
She was playing 1st chair trumpet with the high school band while still in junior high. Lisa went to Phillips
University, Enid, OK, with the goals of getting a teaching certificate and marrying a preacher. Done and done. She married Robert Don Paddack, soon to be reverend, after only one year of college. She taught briefly in Geuda Springs, KS and Hazleton, KS while Robert finished school. Once he had graduated, the family was called to a church in Henrietta, NY, just outside Rochester. While there, she was able to do some teaching and got involved with inner city charities. She also took classes at Eastman school of Music when she could.
In 1965, wanting to be closer to family, Lisa and Robert answered a call to First Christian Church of Mason City. She was eventually able to complete her Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music.
She taught music in the Springfield school system for 20 years. Once she became an empty nester, she earned her Masters of Elementary Education from Sangamon State University.
Sitting still was not in her playbook and TV was practically a 4-letter word. Lisa was a voracious reader and spent many hours in her bible and devotions. She was a lifelong piano teacher and accomplished trumpet player. She played with the Springfield municipal band for many years as well as playing stints with the muni-opera and other area bands. She also enjoyed time in her flower garden and scrapbooking about her 7 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She relished the idea of being the go-to local resource for all things music, indexing and cross-referencing her file cabinets full of music, CDs and tapes. In her final years she would take any opportunity to play piano for any audience, even when she could no longer see the music.
Lisa was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She is survived by her sister Virginia, daughter Cynthia (husband Paul) Musgrave, son Bruce (wife Lesa) Paddack, son Bryan (wife Susan) Paddack, and foster daughter Roni (Fuller) Sullivan; grandchildren Jason (wife Abby), Robert (wife Erica), Travis (wife Nicole), Bekah, Caleb (wife Desi), Josh, and Molly; and 17 great grandchildren.
A visitation was held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11 am, followed by the funeral service at 12 pm, at Mason City Christian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Joe Weaks presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to World Vision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA, 98063-9716; or to Mason City Area Nursing Home, 520 N. Price Ave., Mason City, IL 62664.