Nellie Lucille Tanker, 99, went to be with her Lord at 6:05 AM, Saturday, December 30, 2023, at River Bluff Nursing Home, where she has resided the past 16 months. She was born December 4, 1924, in Manila, Arkansas, to Luther and Monnie (Melton) Peek. She was married to Eugene Tanker for more than 60 years.
Nellie was a hard worker. As a girl, she worked in the fields helping her Papa. She cultivated the ground driving a team of horses, and worked in the cotton fields chopping and picking cotton. She continued sharecropping after marrying Eugene. They also worked in the orchards in Michigan picking fruit. After settling in Rockford, she was employed by Barber Coleman until she retired. Nellie was a member of First Baptist Church of Pecatonica. She looked forward to attending each service, and loved her Pastor and church family. She also attended services with Pastor Barnett at River Bluff. She enjoyed working in her vegetable, and flower garden. She loved to fish, and enjoyed many fishing trips with her family.
She is survived by her son, Rick and Peggy Tanker of Winnebago; grandchildren, Bill and Ligia, Steve and Kari, Nathan and Brenda, Jacob and Emily; great-grandchildren, Allen, Rebecca, William, Paloma, Ty and Taylor, Noah, Addyson, Evelyn, Miles, Alyvia, Eli, Wesley, Greta, Toby, and Lucas; sister, Gertie; sister-in-laws, Maxine, Velma, Mary, Linda and her husband, Mark; many nieces and nephews; dog, Maggie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; parents, sons, Darris and Bill; great-grandson, Arthur.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to River Bluff Nursing Home and ProMedica Hospice for all of their love, support, and care.
A visitation for Nellie is set to take place Thursday, January 4, 2023, at Sunset Funeral Home, beginning at 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18