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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Roberta Lea "Bobbie" Johnson of 
4Springfield, formerly of Manito and Peterson, who passed away 
5on December 20, 2023; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was born to Ernest Albert and 
7Hazel Irene (Tackman) Beebe in Manito on May 27, 1929; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Along with her husband, Bobbie Johnson owned and 
9operated Gene's Food Stores located in Manito, Petersburg, 
10Bloomington, and Pontiac; she became the first woman to serve 
11on the board of directors of the National Association of 
12Retail Grocers of the United States; and
 
13    WHEREAS, For the past decade, Bobbie Johnson was a 
14resident of Concordia Village, where she led the Ladies 
15Discussion Group and served on the Welcome Committee and the 
16Scholarship Committee; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson attended Laurel United Methodist 
18Church; she served on the board of the First National Bank in 
19Petersburg; she was a member of the Mason County Lady 
20Landowners and the Order of the Eastern Star, where she earned 
21the rank of worthy matron; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was included in the Who's Who of 
2American Women book; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was civic-minded and always eager 
4to help others; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was preceded in death by her 
6parents; her husband, Gene Marquardt; her partner, Ahto 
7Saviste; and her sister, Greta Alexander; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson is survived by her children, Brad 
9(Christine) Marquardt, Richard (Lori) Marquardt, Ginger 
10(Larry) Rickmann, and Jennifer (Jeffrey) Adkins; her 
11grandchildren, Shane Marquardt, Melissa (Tim) Groh, Stacy 
12(Mark) Shepard, Courtney (Shirley) Marquardt, Christopher 
13(Chelsea) Marquardt, J. Travis (Darcy) Woodrum, Adelaide 
14Adkins, and Carson Adkins; her great-grandchildren, Ella 
15Shepard, Samuel Groh, Brooklyn Groh, Sadie Groh, Aiden 
16Woodrum, Brianna Woodrum, Kaylie Marquardt, Chandler 
17Marquardt, Sophia Marquardt, Kenzie Marquardt, Cole Marquardt, 
18and Carley Marquardt; and her great-great-granddaughter, 
19Magnolia Marquardt; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
 
 
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1Roberta Lea "Bobbie" Johnson and extend our sincere 
2condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
3her; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
5presented to the family of Bobbie Johnson as an expression of 
6our deepest sympathy.