SR0647 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0647 LRB102 22005 MST 31133 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Keith O. Gellerstedt of Moline, who passed away on November 8, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Keith Gellerstedt was born in Moline to Carl and Carolyn (Nelson) Gellerstedt on April 22, 1926; he graduated from Moline High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Army 75th Division during World War II; he traveled to Europe on the Queen Mary at the age of 17 and became a member of what was affectionately called the "Diaper Division"; he served in France, Germany, and Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; he married Marie A. Kaufmann in Moline on March 16, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Keith Gellerstedt returned from service and studied to become a computer programmer; he worked in the data processing division for Deere and Company and, later, for the Bendix Corp., which became Litton Industries; he retired in 1986; he also spent many years working with Marie and their sons at her business, Nixalite of America; and

WHEREAS, Keith Gellerstedt participated in the October 2009 Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline and the Ex-Servicemen's Club; he was a former member of the Moline Elks, the Turners Club, the Vikings Club, and American Legion Post 246; he loved spending time at their river home in Cordova, boating and working in the yard; he had a very artistic side and loved his sweets and a dry Rob Roy with a twist served "up"; most of all he loved spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, Keith Gellerstedt is survived by his wife, Marie; his daughter, Lori (Jeff) Doroba; his sons, Keith Todd (Debbie), Jon Erik (Stephenie), and Cory (Julie) Gellerstedt; his grandchildren, Sophie, Brian, and Molly Doroba, Carolyn (Brian) Harvey, and Kenny (Rachel), Jake, Hannah, Britta, Nick, and Emma Gellerstedt; his great-grandchildren, Jude and Zoe Gellerstedt; and baby Dean Harvey due in March; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Keith O. Gellerstedt and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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