Lillian Emma Shook, 89 of Rochelle died Monday September 7, 2009 in Rochelle Community Hospital. She was born May 1, 1920 in Duluth, Minnesota the daughter of Ernest F. And Mary Campion Nicholson. She married Raymond Shook, who was a plumber with the Rockford local 23 for 50 years, on May 31, 1946 in Rochelle, IL. He preceded her on Aug. 18, 2006. She was also preceded in death by brothers Ernest and John Nicholson and sisters Madelaine Collins and Eulalie Dowey.

Lil moved to Rochelle with her father to help him manage the Black Cat and Hickman Café in the 1930's and 1940's, which is where she met her husband, Ray. Lil used her baking skills to create cakes for many people for their special occasions. After that, in the 1970's, using her love of cooking, her and Ray ran a restaurant, Shook's Kitchen, across from Rochelle Township High School. Lil also worked for many years at Cal-Pac and was a member of the Rochelle Moose Club. For many years after retirement Lil and Ray spent winters in Donna, TX.
Survivors include: sons Donald (Betty) Shook of St. Charles, IL William (Diane) Shook of Eau Claire, WI and daughter Sally "Sam" (Jack) Spencer of Rock Falls, IL. A daughter-in-law Jan Shook of Rochelle and sister-in-laws Ruth "Dollie" (Robert) Schefield of La Habra, CA and Hazel (Lee) Fulmer of Pennsylvania. Grandchildren Jill (Dave) Smith, Jack Shook, Jenny (Jeremiah) Foltz, Donny Shook, Mike Spencer, Ryan Shook, Lisa (Scott) Nedved, Brandon Shook and Brett Spencer. Great grandchildren: Nathan Smith, Nick, Kylie and Kenzie Shook, Chloe Foltz, Josanne Smith, Adrienna Spencer, Madeline Smith and Leighton Nedved, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 4 - 7 PM with a Memorial services at 7 PM. at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N 6th ST., Rochelle.
A memorial has been established to the Hub City Senior Center.