Nellie Kirkwood

Nellie Ruth Thea (Gramenz) Kirkwood, 87, of Bonne Terre passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. She was born December 9, 1929 in Rock Island, IL to the late Albert and Minnie Gramenz. She married Donald Eugene Kirkwood on November 2, 1946 at Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island. They shared almost 71 years of marriage and raised four children together.

She is survived by her husband Don; daughters, Lynn Kirkwood of MO and Dawn (Ron) Jensen of TN; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marcia Rainbolt; son, Thomas Kirkwood; daughter-in-law, Janet Hadabank Kirkwood.

Family was always her first priority, however she did find time to hold a variety of jobs: such as school lunch room attendant, dental assistant, jewelry store clerk and a Walmart associate.

Nellie was excellent at crafts. A true artist! She always had a project in progress. New mothers in her family could always count on a crocheted baby blanket to welcome the little ones. Her children were blessed to wear her lovingly sewn clothing. All her children and grandchildren have hand-made quilts that bear her signature. She also produced beautiful oil paintings and many nature inspired pen and inks of which are on display throughout her family’s homes.

She was a forty-year member of the elite “Ladies of the Lost Caribbean” club, the “Red Hatters”, loved playing bridge with her friends so much that when she was no longer able to play with her friends, she continued to enjoy the game on her computer. She was a member of Central Christian Church, Bourbonnais, IL and a former member of the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce and their Beautification Committee.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Pohlman and his staff for the very professional and personal care given to mother and her family over the years. Also, the staff at U.S. Rental Care, Creve Coeur, MO for the excellent care they gave our wife and mother during her time with them.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Dottie Fritsche’s Hall at 8531 Berry Road, Bonne Terre on October 28, 2017 at 4:00 PM. Please call Lynn for directions, 573-760-5411. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Boys Town at 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010 or https://secure.boystown.org/donate. View obituary and share condolences online at www.www.czboyer.com