Eugenia Jane Loft, 85, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at her home in Belvidere after a short illness. Genie was born on August 17, 1921 in Beloit, Wisconsin, the only child of Edmund Jesse and Ida Goldie (McClusky) Conyes. She grew up on farms in the Capron area, where she loved riding her horse, Bill. On June 28, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Vernon Loft, son of Anton and Belle (Benson) Loft in the Old Stone Church in Rockton, Illinois. Bob and Genie began married life in Rockford and following WWII, they lived on farms in the Capron and Caledonia areas of Illinois. In the mid-1970's they moved to Brodhead and Monroe, Wisconsin, returning to Boone County in the Early 1980's. Genie served as a 4-H leader, was a storyteller at the Ida Public Library, delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital (Belvidere) and St. Clare's Hospital (Monroe), was involved in Boone County Farm Bureau, and also helped with various church and school activities. Genie was proud of her Boone County Roots and enjoyed delving into her genealogy and the history of northern Boone County, especially the Capron and Blaine areas. She loved her volunteering at the Boone County Historical Museum until her loss of sight. Genie loved gardening and riding her lawn mower on a beautiful summer day. Genie is survived by her children, Nancy K. Peterson, Santa Fe, NM; Robert E. (Karen) Loft, Belvidere, IL; Dianne K. Loft, Provo, UT; grandchildren, Nannette Loft, Norco, CA; Robert E. (Sherri) Loft, Jr., Genoa, IL; Anton E. (Jenny) Loft, Belvidere, IL; Mark (Dawn) Peterson, Big Lake, MN; Krista Peterson, Santa Fe, NM; and great -grandchildren, Nathan and MaKenzee Loft and Cassidy and Odin Loft. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Boone County Historical Museum, 311 Whitney Blvd. Belvidere, IL 61008-3609 or Keen Age Center 2141 Henry Luckow, Ln. Belvidere, IL 61008