Mrs. Mardene Derry, 89, of Colusa, IL passed away 1:35 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.

Mardene was born on April 7, 1925 in Colusa, Illinois the daughter of Walter and Alta Shaw Dorsett. On June 15, 1947 she married Forrest Derry in Colusa. He preceded her in death on November 18, 2011.

Mrs. Derry graduated from Colusa High School. She attended Western Illinois University for one year before being urged to take the teacher exam. Because of WWII, teachers were in short supply, so she became a teacher at age 19. She taught in a one-room school, where some of the students were fairly close in age to her. She went on to teach at Nauvoo Grade School and Nauvoo-Colusa JH for almost 30 years of teaching. During this time, she continued her studies and graduated from Carthage College and gained a masters degree from WIU.

She had also worked as a Postmaster, telephone operator, and with her husband operated a small grocery, Derrys General Store. Mardene was a loyal helpmate to her husband during their years of farming and raising their family. She also was his devoted caregiver in later years. She was a member of the Colusa United Methodist Church, and served as church treasurer for many years. She also assisted with the Harris Cemetery, was a member of the American Legion auxiliary, Hancock County retired teachers, and was a former volunteer at the Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Grandma Dene was loved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known for her encouragement of education, wise counsel, and incredible pies, cookies, and homemade noodles. She left an endearing imprint with those who knew and loved her.

Survivors include one son, Wayne (Peggy) Derry of Keokuk, IA, one daughter, Linda (Jeff) Wilson of Colusa, IL, four grandchildren, Ryan (Beate) Wilson, Adele (Brian) Langworthy, Isaac Wilson and Paul Wilson and four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Sophie Wilson and Rachel and Drake Langworthy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest, one granddaughter, Suprayasi Wilson and great-granddaughter, Angelica Wilson.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Colusa United Methodist Church in Colusa with David Poland officiating. Burial will be held at Harris Cemetery near Dallas City, IL. The family will receive friends from 8:30a.m. until time of service at the church. A memorial fund has been established for the Colusa United Methodist Church or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Dallas City is in charge of arrangements.