Lou Ann Stevenson always spoke with kindness about others. Lou Ann, age 85, of Urbana, passed away on October 11 at the Mary B's Unit of Bickford Senior Living in Champaign, Illinois surrounded by family, after a long and difficult struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Lou Ann's remarkable gracious spirit will live on in the hearts of many who loved her and were touched by her grace.

These loved ones include her sister, Jeannette Stelford (Barry) who has been a special source of loving support, especially in Lou Ann's final years. Lou Ann was also grateful to have the opportunity to continue to live in her cherished family home thanks to the help and friendship she received from her generous neighbors, John and Nita Steer and Mike and Rene Pollack.

Lou Ann will be sorely missed by her children: Dr. Lynn Stevenson Burger (Dr. Michael Burger), Jan Stevenson Viste, and Robert Alan Stevenson (Jane); her grandchildren: Heather Harvey (Andrew), Elliot Charles Carter and Shayna Noel Carter: and her great grandchildren: Sebastian and Elora Harvey. Her passing is also grieved by her beloved nieces and nephews.

Another special community in Lou Ann's life was her Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She shared life long friendships with many of her sorority sisters and derived satisfaction from the good volunteer work the sorority engaged in.

Lou Ann was born on November 5, 1926 in Urbana, Illinois, a daughter of Walter J Huck and Ina Marie Heinz. Two brothers: George August Huck and Walter Huck Jr, and one sister: Roberta Gross preceded her in death.

Lou Ann married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Robert Stevenson, on December 18, 1948. He preceded her in death on July 10, 2000.

After graduating from Urbana High School in 1944, Lou Ann attended the U of I where she studied journalism. She dreamed of traveling the world and writing stories as the true to life Brenda Starr. She enjoyed telling people about the front page article she wrote for an issue of the Daily Illini. Her article covered a lecture given on campus about the new miracle drug 'penicillin'. She had great difficulty in tracking down the correct spelling of the word because so few people were familiar with it. Lou Ann also prided herself as one of the first women to work with computers and she marveled years later at the size and capabilities of modern computers.

Lou Ann's journalism aspirations were diverted when she instead devoted her time and energy into being the best Mother in the world! She created a home that was loving, happy, and comfortable. While raising her family, Lou Ann was involved with volunteer work which included cub scouting, girl scouting and work in the schools. After her children left home, she managed the office at Stevenson Oil Company which she owned with her husband, Bob. After their retirement, they enjoyed sharing time with their family and friends, playing canasta, taking an annual fishing trip to Minnesota, winter trips to Florida and excursions to the Peoria Riverboat. Lou Ann was an avid reader and enjoyed Turner Classic movies. She took special enjoyment from her music box collection.

Per Lou Ann's wishes, no service will be held. Her loved ones will hold an open house at her home, 712 South Broadway, Urbana Illinois on Saturday, October 20 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Any who wish to remember and celebrate Lou Ann's life are welcome to stop by. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Urbana Free Library or the Urbana High School Alumni Association.

Lou Ann's family wishes to thank the staff at Bickford Senior Living and Jill from Hospice Services for their kind and caring attention to Lou Ann during this past year.