Elsie Mae McNett

Elsie Mae McNett, born Elsie Mae Schmid on March 19, 1935, in Galena, Illinois, passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 90, surrounded by her family at Manor Court in Freeport. The youngest of 16 children born to Richard and Freida (Kienzle) Schmid, she married Gerald “Jerry” R. McNett in December 1956 in Galena. The couple made their home in Freeport, where Elsie worked at Burgess Battery and later at Micro Switch until her retirement.

A devoted mother, Elsie raised five children with Jerry: Marlene (Steve) Kroeger, Sherri (John) Osterberger, Linda McNett, David McNett, and Kevin (Janice) McNett. She was blessed with eight grandchildren—Luke (Julie) Kroeger, Amy (Kyle) Dornink, Kelsie (Bryan) Bannach, Tegan Allen, Tyler McNett, Brynlee McNett, Kaine (Becca Ensor) McNett, and Briana (Bailey) Luy—and eight great-grandchildren: Nora, Evelyn, Otto, and Theodore Kroeger; Alaina and Alden Dornink; Cooper Bannach; and Benson Luy.

Elsie was known as a hard worker who held her family close to her heart. She took great joy in attending her grandchildren’s activities and staying involved in their lives, and she cherished every moment spent with her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Marlene, Linda, David, and Kevin, along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, her daughter Sherri, all of her siblings, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.