SR1190 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1190 LRB100 16379 MST 31507 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of the Reverend Dr. Willard C. Blomquist, who passed away on December 5, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Blomquist was born in Michigan to Arvid and Signe Blomquist on October 28, 1924; beginning at the age of 12, he spent his summers working in the woods with his father; he graduated from Augustana College and from Augustana Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity; he married Virginia Olson in Cambridge in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Blomquist was ordained into the ministry at the Washington National Cathedral in 1950; in 1980, he earned his Doctor of Ministry at Trinity International University in Deerfield; he served congregations in Bemidji, Minnesota and Davenport, Iowa before joining Trinity United Lutheran Church in Waukegan to begin a ministry that lasted 30 years; after his retirement, he was named pastor emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Blomquist served on the board of directors at Augustana College; he was active in the former Waukegan Area Council of Churches, serving as its president; he served as vice-pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and as its visitation pastor for more than 20 years; he continued his ministry at Rolling Hills Manor in Zion, where he resided for the last four years; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Blomquist was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Virginia; three infant children; his parents; his sister, Lorraine Morgan; and his brother, Donald Blomquist; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Blomquist is survived by his daughters, Anne Malecki and Kathryn (James) MacNeil; his grandchildren, Matthew (Julia) Santullano, Sophie Malecki, Eryn MacNeil, and John MacNeil; and his great-grandchildren, Leia, Alexander, and Adela Santullano; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of the Reverend Dr. Willard C. Blomquist, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pastor Blomquist as an expression of our deepest sympathy.