Gayle L. Voorhees, 77, of Sterling, IL, died, Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Denver Sunset Home, Denver, IA.
Gayle was born July 8, 1939, in Sterling, the daughter of Everette and Grace (Fritz) Minier, where she grew up on a farm. Gayle grew up in Sterling and married Harley Arians on October 5, 1958, where they ultimately settled in Morrison, IL, on the Arians family farm. To this union there were four children, Harlan (Deb) Arians of Denver, IA, Harold (Lisa) Arians of Clear Lake, IA, Harvey (Dawn) Arians of Morrison, and Gayla Arians of Leroy, IL. She was employed at Fitzgerald Drug Store, Morrison Community Hospital, Sterling Clinic, and Northwestern Life Insurance, at one time. She then married Allen D. Voorhees on November 3, 1990, in Morrison. Gayle welcomed two more children into her life: Dean (Deana) Voorhees and Kittie (Larry) Mital, both of Milan, IL. Surviving are 17 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Gayle was a proud graduate of Sterling High School, where she was a National Honor Society graduate and cheerleader. She later volunteered many years as cheerleading coach for the Union Grove Junior High School. Gayle was also a 4-H member and later became a 4-H leader for Fenton chapter. Gayle was also deeply involved in the Morrison Music Theater Association (MMTA), and served many years as a School Board member for the Morrison School district. Gayle was an avid sports fan, particularly her beloved Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and them “Fighting Illini.” She was seen by her kids on several occasions to be washing and ironing clothes with the Cubs game on TV.
Most importantly, besides working full time outside the home, Gayle was that proverbial full-time mom and spouse to her family on the Arians family farm near Fenton. Gayle was known to jump right in to help with the demanding work involved with running the dairy and swine farm, managing a large garden, and keeping up the yard. Her family always had a warm breakfast waiting for them after morning chores and a warm supper after night chores.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen on February 20, 2008; parents; brother, Glenn Minier.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 12, 2017, at the Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, Sterling, IL, and from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., prior to services at the church.
Funeral services will be held at10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison, IL, with Bob Burton, Pastor, officiating.
Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, IL.
A memorial has been established.