Elvira A. “Toots” Tebbe, age 85, of St. Rose, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Trenton Village. Born on October 30, 1938, in Aviston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Vincent and Marie (nee Venhaus) Ribbing.
On July 6, 1960, Toots married James J. “Jim” Tebbe, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Aviston. Together, they built a beautiful life rooted in faith, family, and community. Jim preceded her in death on August 20, 2023, after 63 years of marriage.
Toots is survived by her loving children: Gary (Jean) Tebbe of St. Rose, Terry (Tracey) Tebbe of Aviston, Bill (Sherry) Tebbe of St. Rose, and Susan (Jeff) McCray of St. Rose. She was a proud grandmother to Chad (Melissa) Tebbe, Cody (Karlie) Tebbe, Michael (Jessica) Tebbe, Zachary Tebbe, Jared (Kalika) Tebbe, Jacob Tebbe, Mackenzie (Will) Green, Lindsay (fiancé Andrew Fugetta) McCray, and Collin McCray. Her great-grandchildren, James and Addisyn Tebbe, Hallie Jean Tebbe, Autumn and Ezra Tebbe, and Willa Rose and Gentry Mae Tebbe, were her constant source of joy.
Toots is also survived by her sister, Ruth Ann “Babe” Jansen of Breese, and her brother, Dan (Martha) Ribbing of Aviston. She is remembered fondly by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul Tebbe of Staunton, Charlie Tebbe of Jamestown, Dan (Marilyn) Tebbe of St. Rose, and Rita Tebbe of St. Rose, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her infant twin daughters, Donna Mary and Darlene Mary Tebbe (11/21/1962), her grandson, Nicholas Tebbe, and her siblings, Jim Ribbing, Marilyn Ribbing, and Janet (Harry) Willmann. Also preceding her in death were her parents-in-law, Leo H. and Regina (nee Detmer) Tebbe, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vic Jansen, Martha Tebbe, Rich Tebbe, Pat Stallard, and Joan (Clarence “Butch”) Kohlbrecher.
Toots was a woman of many talents and interests. She worked in sales, selling radio advertisements for WCXO in Carlyle, and shared her voice through her popular “Talking with Toots” segment in the Breese Journal. She was also a Pampered Chef consultant, bringing her love for cooking into the homes of many.
Her strong faith was reflected in her active involvement in the St. Rose Catholic Church and Altar Sodality, and her dedication to the Clinton County Homemakers Extension, as well as her involvement in the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, and other community organizations. She also served as a past president of the Mater Dei Catholic High School Mothers and Friends Club. In her free time, Toots enjoyed sewing and quilting, creating cherished pieces for her loved ones.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, September 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose with Fr. Edward Schaeffer presiding. Interment will take place at a later date.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese and again Monday, September 30, 2024, from 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to St. Rose Catholic Church or Mater Dei Catholic High School and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
