Lorraine “Gus” Brownlee, 89, of Monmouth, IL passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at her home.
Gus was born February 23, 1936 in Monmouth, IL the daughter of G. Helmer and Ethel E. (Goff) Gustafson. She was raised and educated in Seaton and Alexis where she attended the Lone Star Schools and graduated from Alexis High School in 1954.
Gus married G. Donald Brownlee at the Norwood Presbyterian Church, Alexis on January 1, 1956 and he died December 21, 1999.
Gus was a homemaker and raised her family. She later worked as a school bus driver for 19 years for the Yorkwood and Union School Districts. She also drove a de-tasseling bus for Dekalb for several years. Gus worked for a time at Farm King, Warren Achievement and the Maple City Laundry before retiring.
She was a former member of the Norwood Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren and later her great grandchildren.
Survivors include her 6 children, Danny (Mary) Brownlee of Galesburg, Steve (Jackie) Brownlee of Little York, Brian Brownlee of Monmouth, Nancy Brownlee of Monmouth, Elaine (Jimmy) Simpson of Arlington, TN and David (Lora) Brownlee of Kirkwood; 11 grandchildren, 27 greatgrandchildren; her sister, Donna (Orv) Lind of Jacksonville, FL and her brother, Linn (Nora) Gustafson of Colorado Springs, CO; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, September 12, 2025 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Interment will be at Rozetta Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Thursday, September 11, 2025 at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Strom Center and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
