Obituary of Frances Willene Kidd

Frances “Willene” Kidd 82, of Zion, IL, passed away on Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 at Condell Medical Center. Willene was born on April 19th, 1935 in Mississippi to Alphonso and Annabelle Koenig. At age 5 she became the foster child of Clee and Verlon Sanders of Prentiss County, MS. She was raised and loved by her foster parents as one of their own for the remainder of their lives. After 62 years, Willene found the missing pieces to her heart when she was reunited with all 8 of her siblings.  

As a young adult she relocated to Lake County, IL where she worked for Foulds Spaghetti Factory in Libertyville and later on she was the lunch lady at Zion-Benton High School. She married Flavous D. Kidd also of Prentiss County, MS on August 3rd, 1955 and the two of them built their life together in Lake County where they raised their family. 

Willene was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved to watch her grandbabies twirl baton and play piano. She will be missed terribly by everyone who endured her kind soul and heart of gold. Her large extended family and close friends will best remember her for her homemade Christmas candy and custom embroidered linens that she lovingly made to share. 

Survivors include daughter Patricia Butkus and son-in-law Bill Butkus of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Step-daughter Sarah Olnhausen of Twin Lakes, WI, granddaughters Jennifer Fogarty of Zion, IL, Neva Butkus of Baton Rouge, LA and Madeline Butkus of Winthrop Harbor, IL, step-grandsons Richard DeMario and Rob Dufern, siblings Carolyn, Annette, Claudean, Travis and Dennis. Several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As well as her beloved fur baby, Candy. 

She was proceeded in death by her foster parents Clee and Verlon Sanders, husband Flavous Kidd, daughter Charlotte Turner, grandson Ryan Fogarty, brothers Billy Pierocich and Calvin Koenig, sister Mildred Pepper and step-son Jack Kidd. 

Visitation will take place Monday, May 15, 2017 from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL. A memorial service will follow at 6:30 p.m. with Pastor Cheri Tuccy officiating. Memorial donations to Safe Harbor Humane Society  (www.safeharborhumanesociety.org/donate) or to American Heart Association Go Red for Women, (goredforwomen.org) have been suggested.