Charlene Flack Krum

Charlene Flack Krum, 72, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away on May 25, 2013 at Good Samaritan Center, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, after an extended illness of Parkinson’s/Lewy Bodies disease.
Charlene was born January 28, 1941 to Leonard and Lois Flack of Shannon, Illinois, and grew up being involved in church, 4-H and music. She graduated from Shannon High School in 1958 and went on to major in Home Economics at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1962. She married David Gusse in September of that same year. They moved to Dixon, Illinois, where they farmed and raised their five children. She later married Ronald (Skip) Krum of Mt. Carroll, Illinois on December 22, 1995, where they made their home on the family farm.
She was a member of the Eldena United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, led the children’s choir and coordinated the Bible school program for many years. Charlene’s family began attending and then joined the Dixon Church of the Brethren where she played the piano and organ, served as a deacon, and was involved in the many activities of the women’s group. She was also involved in many community groups, devoting time to Christian Women’s Club and After Five Club, two 4-H clubs, PTO when her children were in elementary school, PEO, and the Ticker Tape investment club.
Charlene was a homemaker and active farm wife. Later in life she worked as a home visitor for Tri-County Head Start in the Amboy area, then as a Head Start teacher in Milledgeville and Savanna. Charlene was involved in the activities of the farm, especially during planting and harvest. She was a talented home decorator, creating a home that was welcoming and comfortable. She enjoyed flower gardening and arranging, bird watching, and most importantly, being with her family. She loved visiting her children and their families, and attending her grandchildren’s sports events, church activities and music performances. She will be remembered and missed most for her devotion to her family.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald; five children: Anne Barlow of Marshfield, Wisconsin; Jennifer (Rick) Lowry of Milton, Wisconsin; Mark (Rachel) Gusse of Omaha, Nebraska; Matthew (Colline) Gusse of Dixon, Illinois and Susan (Ron) Miller of Normal, Illinois; two stepsons: Kurt (Patti) Krum of Mt. Carroll, Illinois and Scott (Penny) Krum of Stratford, Wisconsin; sixteen grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Lois Flack; one sister, Ardath (Verlo) DeWall and one brother, Alan (Sherry) Flack, all of Shannon, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Flack.
Visitation will be held 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at the Dixon Church of the Brethren, Dixon, Illinois, with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mt. Carroll. A memorial has been established.