Elsie E. Harris

Elsie E. Harris, longtime resident of Colona, IL, passed away Friday, January, 17, 2025. She was born on October 27, 1921 in Annawan Township, IL to Charles and Mary (Longeville) DeDecker. Growing up in Atkinson, IL, she attended grade school there, and later on, high school in Annawan, IL. On December 26, 1946, in East Moline, IL, she married Richard (Dick) T. Harris, who passed away on September 11, 2000.

Elsie enjoyed many interests through the years, including sewing, gardening, quilting, and baking special cakes. As a young parent, she was active in PTA and Home Economics organizations, was a busy seamstress making family garments, plus she made time to can garden vegetables. She was widely known throughout the community for preparing lovely, made-from-scratch cakes for all occasions. As a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Colona for over 70 years, she was likewise an active member of St. Anne’s Altar Society, taking a lead in planning funeral luncheons. Elsie served on the Colona Library board, was a member of a quilting group for many years, a monthly participant of a “game-day” group, and a once-a-month card club member, all of which provided enjoyable moments of socialization during later years. Most importantly, though, were the hours spent with family, being present for all birthdays and other important occasions, and always providing delicious home-cooked meals well into her 90s. Of utmost importance was the desire to see her grandkids often enough to watch them grow and change.

Elsie’s survivors include her children Denise (John) McMorrow of Belvidere, IL and Dean Harris of Davenport, IA; grandchildren Keelan McMorrow of Chicago, Brendan McMorrow of Beloit, WI and Bret (Nikki) Harris of Milan, IL; great-grandchildren Kieran McMorrow, Kennedy McMorrow, and Kaydn Harris; granddaughter-in-law Saramarie McMorrow of Grayslake, IL, and sister-in-law Mary Ann DeDecker of East Moline; plus many nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick, brother Donald DeDecker, and grandson Ryan McMorrow.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Colona at 11:00 on January 24, 2025. Prior to mass, there will be a two-hour visitation period, from 9 to 11:00 at Schroder Mortuary, Colona. Interment will be at Dayton Corners Cemetery, Colona. A luncheon will follow at St. Patrick’s Church Hall. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Heart Association, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.