The Landmark, September 16, 2020
LETTERS
15
OBITUARIES
However, if the voter does not have the vote-bymail ballot to give the election judges, they will allow the voter to utilize a “provisional ballot.” After the voter has marked the provisional ballot, it is not inserted into the scanner, but instead is placed in an envelope with an attached affidavit completed by the voter who signs to swear or affirm that the person has not already voted. That envelope with the affidavit and the provisional ballot is given to the judges, who deliver it separately to the election authority after the polls close. Only if the election authority is able to confirm that no vote-by-mail ballot has been counted for that voter, will that provisional ballot be counted after Election Day.
Laurie Braun, co-president Ann Lee, co-president
League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area
Clean Energy Jobs Act addresses climate change The Landmark presented an innovative green approach to storm water management in an op-ed and article in the July 29 edition. The partnership between the Nature Conservancy and the Metropolitan Planning Council could help alleviate the problem of flooding in Riverside and Brookfield neighborhoods that has become more troublesome in the last decade. Future weather may well increase the number of properties along Salt Creek and the Des Plaines River that flood in times of excessive rainfall. The plan does not address the cause of increased flooding, among other issues, however. The Chicago area recently experienced the warmest months of June through August ever recorded based, on the average summer temperature measured by the National Weather Service. Northern Illinois was recently struck by violent derecho storms causing much damage. Lake Michigan water levels have reached all time high levels. It has been a long hot summer in many ways as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout as well as civil disruption. Climate change is believed responsible for many of the weather extremes we have experienced. Greenhouse gas emissions are a primary cause of climate change. The Clean Energy Jobs Act has been introduced in bills before the Illinois House and Senate. The CEJA aims to address the problem of carbon emissions by incentivizing renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. It would also lead to the creation of jobs in the renewable energy field and ensure that many of these jobs would be accessible to communities affected by economic disruption. These jobs would outlast the current crises. Local state representatives Michael Zalewski, Elizabeth Hernandez and Edgar Gonzalez as well as senators Kimberly Lightford and Celina Villanueva are among sponsors of the CEJA. Hopefully, they can help advance this bill to a vote during the upcoming veto session in Springfield.
Richard Swanson
Brookfield
Rita M. Bambach, 90 Owned beauty salon Rita Mae Bambach (nee Bennett), 90, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sept. 10, 2020. Ms. Bambach was born in Chicago, on Jan. 1, 1930 to the late Robert Bennett and the late Anna Bennett. She was one of four children. She grew up in Brookfield and attended RiversideBrookfield High School. After high school, she owned her own beauty salon in Western Springs. She married Richard “Dick” Bambach on May 11, 1963 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in La Grange Park. The couple settled in LaGrange Park, where they raised their three children. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states. She also loved to garden, bake and play games with her grandchildren. She was best known for her kind and loving way. Ms. Bambach was the wife of Richard; the mother of Rich, Rod and Robyn; the mother-in-law of Robin, Linda and Scott; and the grandmother of Haley, Jackson, Olivia, Bradley, Georgia, Adriana and Kevin. A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 12 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, followed by interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements. Those wishing to express condolences online can visit HitzemanFuneral. com. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Rita Mae Bambach family.
Kerri A. Bradford, 41 Riverside Juniors officer, scout leader Kerri Ann Bradford (nee Koscik), 41, of Riverside and formerly of Chicago and Richton Park, died Sept. 5, 2020. Ms. Bradford earned a master’s degree in KERRI A. BRADFORD early childhood education from the Erikson Institute in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She was an active member of the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, where she had served terms as an officer of
the club and chaired and co-chaired numerous committees. She was involved in Riverside Cub Scouts Pack 24. where she served as an assistant leader and helped organize events. She previously served as the leader of combined Girl Scout Troops 1123 and 1321 in Chicago, where she was also actively involved in leadership of the service unit. Kerri was a doting mother, caring and loved wife, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend to many. She leaves a legacy of perseverance and living life to its fullest no matter the challenges. She is survived by her husband, Mark Albert Bradford; her son, Ryan Alexander Bradford; her parents, Richard A. Koscik and Nancy J. (nee Erwin) Koscik; her brother, Scott M. Koscik, and sister-in-law, Joellyn Koscik (nee Tendy); her nephew, Jason Koscik; and her uncle and aunt Robert and Linda Koscik. Funeral services and interment were private. Donations are appreciated in Kerri’s name to the Comprehensive Transplant Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (feinberg.northwestern. edu/giving) or Riverside Pack 24 Cub Scouts to pack24riverside@gmail.com via PayPal. Online condolences may be offered at KuratkoNosek.com. Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.
Gerald A. Carlson, 89 Retired master tool and die maker Gerald A. “Jerry” Carlson, 89, of Brookfield, died Sept. 12, 2020. Mr. Carlson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was retired from a GERALD A. CARLSON career as a master tool and die maker. He was the husband of 67 years to Madeline Carlson (nee Condon); the father of Deacon Tom (Pamela) Carlson, James Carlson, Karen (Phil) Kedzuch, Kevin (Kris) Carlson, Amy (Tom) Kuchynka and the late Gerald P. Carlson; the grandfather of Andy (Austeja) Kedzuch, Nicholas (Jill) Kedzuch, Brian (Ashley) Carlson, Austin Carlson, Corey Kuchynka, Timothy Kuchynka, Steven (Kelsey) Carlson, Christine Carlson, Casey Carlson and Julianna Carlson; the great grandfather of Weston Kedzuch; the brother of John (Joanna) Carlson, Patricia Carlson,
Dave (Mary) Burry and the late Rose (Michael) Calabrese; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, Brookfield. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside All wishing to attend Mass need to register. More information at HitzemanFuneral.com. Memorials appreciated to the St. Barbara’s Food Pantry. To express condolences online visit HitzemanFuneral.com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Jerry Carlson family.
Lloyd A. Lawson, 92 Retired computer programmer Lloyd Arelando Lawson, 92, of Brookfield and formerly of Downers Grove, died Sept. 7, 2020. Mr. Lawson served in two branches of the Armed Forces, LLOYD LAWSON joining the Navy in June of 1946 and then serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean War. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and his MBA from Ohio State. He went on to work as a computer programmer for Western Electric, Waukesha Motors and Caterpillar Tractor. Using his education and experience, he also taught accounting part time at the College of DuPage for over 20 years. Mr. Lawson sang with College of DuPage Chorale, West Suburban Symphony Chorus, several Lutheran church choirs as well United Methodist Church of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Choral Society, where he had the opportunity to sing at several churches in Europe. He also had the experience of singing at Carnegie Hall with Sherill Milnes. When not singing, traveling and teaching, Lloyd loved gardening both flowers and vegetables. He was the husband of 62 years to L. Elaine Lawson (nee Kranz); the father of Lana (Eric) Larson and Cathy (Jim) Lawson-Kennedy; the grandfather of See OBITUARIES on page 16
