SR0659 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0659 LRB101 14268 ALS 63145 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Loretta Dessen of Urbana, who passed away on September 4, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Dessen was born in Chicago to Philip and Lila (Ziven) Katz on May 26, 1931; she was raised in Rogers Park and graduated from Senn High School in 1949; she attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Illinois; she met Edward Dessen at a summer camp in Wisconsin, where they both worked as camp counselors; they married in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Dessen and her husband were known as the founders of Illini Studio photography, which remains in business today; in the mid 1960s, she established Farmlake Day Camp, where she taught many local children how to swim, ride horses, and sing camp songs; she was known for her repertoire of camp songs and her grilled cheese and tomato soup lunches; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from Illini Studio, Loretta Dessen welcomed students from the University of Illinois to Farmlake for barn dances and was fondly known as the Chex Mix Lady; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Dessen was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Dessen is survived by her children, David (Deborah) Dessen, Jonathon (Patricia) Dessen, and Ruth Ami Dessen; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law, Adrian (Skookie) and Sandy Bernsen; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Loretta Dessen and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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