Lois M. Pate, 91, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully, Sunday January 1, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 19, 1931 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Martin and Mary (Cagnoni) Lombardo. She graduated from West High School in 1950. Lois married the love of her life, Duane A. Pate on August 12, 1951; he preceded her in death in 2001. She was a faithful member of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford for over 70 years. Lois was employed as a supervisor with the Rockford Public School Food Service, retiring in 1996. “My greatest achievements in life were my son and daughter who gave me the joys of my life, grandchildren.” Lois was a strong, caring and independent woman who will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Cathy) Pate and their children, Jordan (Sarah) Pate and Jenna (David Tolliver) Pate and Cynthia (Gary) Yeiser and their children, Riley (Jessica) O’Keefe, Kelly (Brad) Schrom, Jeff (Kathy) Yeiser, Julie (Jake) Bayus; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emma O’Keefe, Melanie Schrom, Lizanne (Luke) Persson, Joey Sipes, Bella Bayus, Morgan and Erick Yeiser; great-great-grandchild, Lydia Persson. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Duane.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Highview in the Woodlands and Mercy Health Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Lois.
A visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4881 Kilburn Ave, Rockford, IL 61101 with a funeral service to begin at 10:00 a.m. Entombment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
To share a condolence, please visit www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com.
