Avis M. (Landheer) Chaimberlain, 93, of Lyndon, IL, died Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Morrison Community Hospital in Morrison, IL.
Avis was born January 28, 1929, in Morrison, to Edward and Martha (Oltmanns) Landheer. She was educated at the Stone School in rural Whiteside County, walking 2 ½ miles each way, from the farm to school. She was a 1947 graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, IL. On September 6, 1952, she married Douglas O. Chamberlain in Sterling, after he returned home from the Korean Conflict. He passed away on December 24, 2016. Avis worked hard her entire life and enjoyed every minute of it. After graduation she worked at Lawrence Brothers and then at Northwestern Steel and Wire in Sterling. She farmed and helped milk up-to-50 Holstein cows alongside her husband, Doug. They also started raising Angus cattle on the Chamberlain’s Farm–the oldest family-owned farm in Whiteside County, starting in the early 1800s. Raising Angus cattle was the love of her life. She had her own tractor and worked in the field for many years, all while keeping house, cooking, baking, and raising her children. She was the oldest living farmer in the surrounding Lyndon area. Avis made the best pies; family and friends would always request she bring them for gatherings. She enjoyed tending her garden and did a lot of canning. Avis stayed sharp, and even at 93 she was still keeping the books, paying the bills, and riding around on her side-by-side. She and Doug loved traveling and the outdoors, sitting on the deck watching the eagles, birds, and the trees change colors. She also liked to fish and play cards with her friends, who gave her the nickname “Avy Baby.” She loved and treasured her grand-dogs. Avis was known and loved for her kind heart, and she will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her children, Alan, of Lyndon, Diane, of Peru, IL, and Marcia of Lyndon; brother-in-law, Paul Vock of Morrison.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Douglas; sisters, Lorna (Harold) Kreider and JoAnn Vock; brothers, “Bud” Edward Landheer and Paul (Loraine) Landheer.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, IL, with Rev. Chelsey Weech officiating.
A Visitation will be held prior, from 10:00 a.m., until the time of the service at noon.
Private family Tnterment will be in the Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling, IL.
In lieu of flowers, the family has established memorials for First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown;, IL; Happy Tails Humane Society, Rock Falls, IL; Disabled Veterans of America.