Louise F. Wollan

Louise F. Wollan of Springfield died July 26, 2008, in Springfield. Born December 11, 1910, in Aurora, Nebraska, daughter of John Alfred and Minnie Anderson Faugerstrom, she was preceded in death in 1990 by her husband, Laurin A. Wollan, and by six siblings. She was a graduate of Minnehaha Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Sangamon State University. Prior to coming to Springfield in 1941, she owned and operated Wollan's Women's and Children's Apparel Shop in St. Paul. In Springfield, she was active in the leadership of civic, religious, and social organizations. She served as president of the Springfield Girl Scout Council, the Springfield chapter of the American Field Service, and the Cosmopals. She was also chair of the Springfield Art Association's 1964 Beaux Arts Ball. She served on the boards of the United Way, League of Women Voters, Woman's Club, Springfield Art Association, and International Visitors' Commission. Leadership beyond Springfield included regional chair of the 1966 White House Conference and Regional Committee of the Girl Scouts of America from 1967 to 1970. Fund-raising service included Campaign Chair of the United Way fund drive in 1961, chair of the education building fund drive of the First Congregational Church in 1967, and a division chair for the Capital Fund Drive for Memorial Medical Center. She was a judge for the Copley First Citizen Award and for the Springfield Marine Bank Student of the Year Scholarship Award. During fifty years as member of the First Congregation Church, she served as Sunday School teacher, Christian Education Committee member, Guild President, and Finance Committee member. Mrs. Wollan was a board member and troop leader with the Land of Lincoln Girl Scout Council, serving as Senior and Intermediate troop leader for 12 years. She was active in PTA leadership for 10 years during which she was president at Butler School and vice-president at Franklin Junior High and Springfield High. She and the late Mr. Wollan supported cultural and civic institutions, particularly the Illinois Symphony and Sangamon State University. Mrs. Wollan served from 1991-98 as Chair of the Wollan Memorial for the Performing Arts, which established a concert series featuring young artists. Mrs. Wollan was a member of Sunnyside Literary Circle, Illinois Symphony Guild, Abraham Lincoln Association, Springfield Art Association, Springfield Area Arts Council, Lincoln Memorial Garden, Sangamon County Historical Society, Grateful Daughters Circle of Kings' Daughters, Lawyers Wives' Association of Sangamon County, Springfield Civic Garden Club, Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, Illini Country Club, and Sangamo Club. Survivors are five children and spouses: Laurin A. Wollan, Jr. & Elisabeth Muhlenfeld of Sweet Briar, Virginia; Jacqueline Wollan & Henry Gibbons of Denton, Texas; Dennis & Judith Brothers Wollan of Los Angeles and New York; Pernille "Penny" Wollan-Kriel & Jack Kriel of Springfield; Terrence "Otis" Wollan & Jane Mulder of Colfax, California; 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 6 nephews and 3 nieces, plus great-nieces and great-nephews. Cremation rites and burial services at Oak Ridge Cemetery will be held privately for the family. Butler Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703, is in charge of arrangements. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, Springfield, IL. A memorial service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, or a charity of one's choice.