Luella M. Hoelzel

Luella M. Hoelzel, 98, formerly of the Pekin area, went to be with the Lord on June 17, 2023, at the Nazareth Nursing Facility, Louisville, KY. "Lu" was born Nov. 29, 1924, in Tazewell County, to Earl J. and Alma E. Becker Hochstetler. She married Gavin E. "Gabe" Hoelzel on December 29, 1945. To that union three daughters were born. They lived in South Pekin for 15 years before buying property and building a home just east of there in rural Pekin. Thats where Lu raised and cared for thousands of chickens and sold eggs to grocery stores as well as to individuals. She also loved tending her vegetable garden, canning and cooking for her family.For many years she donated eggs to the South Pekin Congregational Churchs annual Easter egg hunt. After Gabe retired from the railroad, they moved to Missouri and then to Nevada to be closer to grandkids. During those years they were members of the First Christian Church, Warsaw, MO, and later the Carson Valley United Methodist Church, Gardnerville, NV. While in Nevada, Lu enjoyed her time helping as a pre-school aide at Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, her two brothers LeRoy and Wayne Hochstetler, and her brother-in-law George L. "Bud" Hoelzel. Surviving are her daughters, Shirley Proctor, Marsha Hoelzel, and Judy Gunsten; five grandchildren, Holly Cornelius, Jacalyn (Sam) Smith, Megan (Hunter) Osborne, Tim (Cristiana) Gunsten, and Shane Hatfield; four great-grandchildren, Ainsley Cornelius, Preston and Colton Smith, and Georgia Osborne; one sister, Glenna (Mel) Rocke, and numerous nieces and nephews. Lus ashes will be inurned at an 11:00 AM Monday, August 7, 2023 graveside service at Woodrow Cemetery, rural Pekin, with Pastor Bruce Rocke officiating. Following the service, a luncheon and a celebration of life will take place in the fellowship hall of South Pekin Congregational Church, where Lu had been a Sunday School teacher many years ago. Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Congregational Church, P.O. Box 525, South Pekin, IL 61564. Graveside Service Monday, August 7, 2023 11:00 AM Woodrow Cemetery Coers Lane Pekin,IL 61554