Lois A Rathbone

Lois A. “San” Rathbone, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 96. She was born on July 31, 1929, in Normal, IL to Ellen and Leslie White.

San had a strong interest in history and family heritage. She devoted many hours to genealogy, carefully researching her family’s past and discovering ancestral roots that traced back to England. This passion for history extended into her service with the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she proudly served a term as the Peoria Chapter President, demonstrating leadership and a commitment to preserving history and honoring those who came before.

A true traveler at heart, San embraced the opportunity to see the world. Her adventures took her across all 50 states and to remarkable destinations abroad, including Russia and New Zealand. She especially treasured her river tour through Europe, where she delighted in the landscapes, culture, and history that each stop offered. Travel was not just a pastime for San, it was a way to learn, to connect, and to experience life fully.

An avid gardener, San found joy and peace tending to her plants and flowers, taking pride in watching things grow under her care. Her garden was a reflection of her spirit: patient, nurturing, and full of life.

San will be remembered for her intellectual curiosity, her love of beauty and history, and her willingness to explore both her roots and the wider world. Her legacy lives on in the memories she created the knowledge she preserved, and the many lives she touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted P. Rathbone; daughter, Rebecca Ellen Kellerstrass; and brother, Edward White. San is survived by her children, Eric Hansen (Lynn) and Fred Hansen (Debbie); grandchildren, Tobi Ellen Wheeler, Fred Kenneth Hansen, Ashley Kirby, Megan Braxton, and Benjamin Kellerstrass; 9 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving companion, Vernon Kimberlin.