Evelyn Lenzini

Evelyn 'Bea' Lenzini, 86 ROCKFORD - Evelyn O. "Bea" Lenzini, 86, died peacefully Saturday, June 25, 2011, in her daughter's home, surrounded by her children and members of her extended family. She was born Oct. 2, 1924, in Rockford to Joseph and Dena Koplos. She married David Eugene Lenzini in March 1950 in Fort Collins, Colo.; he died in 1991. A son, Tom, also preceded her in death, in 1994, as did a grandchild, Zachary, in 1992. Her brother, Harry Koplos of Kerrville, Texas, preceded her in death in June 2011. Her brother, John Koplos; sister-in-law, Jeanne Koplos; sister, Pauline (Peter) Kostantacos; and sister-in-law, Nitza Koplos, survive her. She is survived by six children, Linda (James Kaufmann) Lenzini of Springfield, Deborah (Michael) Johns of Rockford, Gary (Sandy) Lenzini of Columbus, Mo., Dana (Tito) Nappi of Pearl City, Mark (Janet) Lenzini of Lake in the Hills and Laura (Shawn) McAuliffe of O'Fallon, Mo. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, David and Matthew Johns, Kelli Johns O'Neal, Alyssa Lenzini, Samantha Lenzini, David J. and Emily Lenzini, Fionne McAuliffe, Logan McAuliffe, Daniel, Taylor and Benjamin French and Jennifer Cline. She had seven great-grandchildren, Alice, Lily, Nicholas, Gabriella, Colin, Carter and Brooke; and 14 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by several cousins and many close friends. She graduated from Rockford College and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, UCLA and Northern Illinois University. She taught elementary school in the Rockford public school system for 27 years and operated a home day care business for several years after her retirement as a teacher. She loved being with her family, visiting with friends, doing crossword puzzles, playing bridge and bowling. Service at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 30, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time; Pastor Woody Knutson will officiate. Interment in Cedar Bluff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Evelyn O. Lenzini Memorial Fund and designated for the VNA Hospice of Rockford, the oncology wing of Rockford Memorial Hospital and the Literacy Council of Rockford. Arrangements by Sundberg Funeral Home Ltd., 215 N. Sixth St. Condolences may be made at sundbergfh.com.