Eloise "Elly" Rohrbach

Eloise “Elly” Stead Rohrbach of Moline, IL, died peacefully Tuesday, August 24th at home surrounded by family. She was 82.

Elly was born in Millersburg, IL. She was the youngest of 5 children of Ruth and Roy Stead. She graduated from Aledo High School in 1957 and Augustana College in 1961 with a teaching degree. She taught school at George O’Barr in Silvis and an elementary school in Minneapolis. After her career as a stay-at-home mom, she worked at Black Hawk College in Moline, retiring in 2000. She also worked at Butterworth Center in Moline. Elly was a member of Kappa Epsilon Sorority, PEO chapter HB, Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary, and First Congregational Church.

Elly was a friend to everyone. She had the reputation of being the sweetest woman with a kind heart. Her children fondly referred to her as “Mrs. June Cleaver” because she had the same good old-fashioned qualities, modesty, kindness, and good manners. She loved spending time with her family and friends, gardening, and entertaining. Her house was the best place to be as she always made sure the food was good and the napkin basket was full.

Survivors include her husband, James of Moline, her children, Susan (Jeff) Fordham of Laurel, MT, Michael (Jill) Rohrbach of Fayetteville, AR, and Molly (Todd) Haney of Acworth, GA. Grandchildren include Nathan and Lauren Fordham of Laurel, MT, Thomas and James Rohrbach of Fayetteville, AR, and Morgan and Sarah Haney of Acworth, GA.

She is survived by her sisters, Nancy Smidesang of Wheaton, IL, Betty (Bob) Fisher of East Moline, sister-in-law Iseko Stead of Hawaii, and sister-in-law Alice Rohrbach of Marietta, GA, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Dorothy Wendel, her brother Wayne Stead and her beloved second grandson Collin Fordham.

A visitation will be held at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 4 to 7 pm. The funeral service will be held at First Congregational Church in Moline on Friday, August 27, 2021, at 10:30 am.

Memorials may be made to P.E.O. Chapter HB or YouthHope in Moline, or Arts of Life in Chicago.

Family and friends are invited to express online condolences at wendtfuneralhome.com.