SR0756LRB103 39172 ECR 69318 r

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
 

 

 

SR0756- 2 -LRB103 39172 ECR 69318 r

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

 

 

SR0756- 3 -LRB103 39172 ECR 69318 r

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.