Romana O'Leary Hammerstrand died Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana, IL. She was 97. She was born in Belvidere, IL, August 2, 1917, the second child of John O'Leary and Lisetta Sippel O'Leary. She married Everett Hammerstrand on November 4, 1951 in Belvidere. He died October 20, 1991.

She is survived by her daughter Kristine Hammerstrand, son-in-law Kenneth Fortenberry, cousin John "Jack" Sippel, nephew John (Linda) Keating, and nieces Nancy McKeown Tobin, Julia O'Leary Klaman, Paula O'Leary, and Sally (Charles Simpson) Sadewater. Also surviving are her great nieces and nephews: Terri Simpson Carnduff, Mark Simpson, Michelle Simpson Ryals, Sean Simpson, Patrick Keating, Kristina O'Leary Keating-Bentley, Shannon Tobin Miller, Doug Tobin, Stacey Klaman, Kelley Klaman-Ritsche, Sara O'Leary Murray, Jenna Lazzaroni, and Scott McCarthy.

Romana was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings Margaretha O'Leary Simpson Keating, Joseph O'Leary, and Monetta O'Leary McKeown; her step-granddaughter Karen Teresa Fortenberry, her nephews Charles Simpson and Paul Tobin, and nieces Aimee O'Leary Lazzaroni and Tina O'Leary McCarthy.

Romana lived her entire life in Illinois. She attended St. James School and Belvidere High School in Belvidere, IL. During World War II, she worked in the prisoner of war camp at Camp Grant in Rockford, IL. Romana worked with Everett in their store and repair shop, Belvidere Radio Lab, from 1950 until it closed in 1961. Romana lived in Rockford until 2000 when she moved to Urbana, IL to be near Kristine and Ken.

Romana loved dogs, boats, family history, big band music, movies of the 1930's and 40's and chocolate. She made wonderful pies and she was particularly fond of her chocolate cream pie.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Champaign County Nursing Home, Diversified Health Care Services, and Harbor Lights Hospice who provided care and support.

A memorial reception will be held Saturday, July 25th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL. A second memorial reception will be held at Belvidere Funeral Home, 203 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, August 1st.

Contributions can be made in Romana's memory to Rockford Urban Ministries, 201 7th St, Rockford, IL 61104, http://rockfordurbanmin.org/. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.