Mary Lynn Shoemaker

Mary Lynn (Kuster) Shoemaker was born on January 26, 1951 to Rosemary and Donald Kuster, in Kewanee, IL. Growing up on the family farm, Mary Lynn developed a love of animals, which led her to pursue a veterinary degree at Colby College in Kansas. After completing her studies, she returned to Illinois, where she met and married Dan Shoemaker. They raised their three children - Matthew, Ann, and Mark - in Monmouth, IL.

After a spiritual rebirth in her forties, Mary Lynn quit smoking, returned to college to get her accounting degree, and dedicated herself to teaching weaving classes at the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth. In her sixties, she briefly left Illinois for Texas, where she helped care for her second grandchild. Upon returning to Kewanee, Illinois, she resumed her adventures with life-long friend and cousin, Candi Corn. After remaining in Kewanee for a few years, she moved to Pecatonica, IL to be closer to her youngest son and his family.

At the end of a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's, she passed away on May 1, 2024. She is survived by her brother Larry and his wife, Mary; her children - Matthew, Ann, and Mark - and their respective spouses, Randi, Fabian, and Kayla; her grandchildren - Lucelia, Anthony, Fabian, David, Xavier, Charlotte, Jackson, and Cora; and many extended family and friends.

Mary Lynn was a devoted mother with a very deep faith. She enjoyed fishing, teaching weaving classes, watching Cubs games, and sharing a New Glarus beer with her family.  We know that she is laughing and having fun now with Gramma and Grampa and we're looking forward to having another laugh with her in the future.  We love you, Mom.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 18 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee with Linnea Gustafson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to The Buchanan Center for Arts - www.bcaarts.org or buchanancenter@mtc-now.net. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery in rural Kewanee. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements.

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