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STERLING – Ann Kane, 90, of Sterling, died peacefully Thursday, April 13, 2017, at CGH Medical Center. She was a homemaker, farm wife, real estate agent, and advocate for people with disabilities.
Ann was born Aug. 26, 1926, to Joseph and Ethel Bartel, who farmed north of Sterling. She graduated from St. Mary Elementary and High schools and attended the University of Illinois for a year before leaving to teach school. She taught at the one-room North Star School, northwest of Sterling, and boarded with a local farm family. It was there that she met neighboring farmer Frank Kane. They married June 14, 1947.
Ann and Frank Kane had four sons, the youngest of whom is profoundly mentally handicapped. Ann, for many years, fought for treatment and care for her son. She was part of a group of parents that bought an old school bus, and each day, drove children from Rock Falls to Truman School in Dixon, the nearest place to offer services to the handicapped. She served on the board of Whiteside County Association for the Mentally Handicapped for most of its existence, and then served on the board of Self Help Enterprises in Sterling for many years.
Ann and Frank built a home from a plan they found in a Successful Farming magazine, with Frank doing most of the work himself. That led to Frank subdividing part of the farm in 1960, and building many homes in the Sterling area. When her children were older, Ann earned a Realtor’s license and sold homes in the Sterling area for 20 years.
Ann and Frank were active in St. Mary parish, regularly hosting priests at the farm and sending their children to St. Mary Grade School and Newman High School. They also advocated against abortion.
Ann was known for her holiday parties for extended family, her care for her husband, and her love for her children.
Survivors include siblings, Robert (Dawn) Bartel of Moline and Jane Kanatzar of Idaho Falls; sons, Kevin (Mary Rose Strubbe), James (Deborah Donovan), Paul (Rebecca Wiley) and Jude; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald (Mary); and her sister, Patsy Bartel.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Schilling Funeral Home, 702 First Ave., Sterling. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 600 Avenue B, Sterling, with Father James Keenan officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with luncheon to follow at the church hall.
Memorials may be made to Self Help Enterprises, 2300 W. LeFevre Road, Sterling.
Visit schillingfuneralhome.com to send condolences.