A graveside memorial service and inurnment will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Mausoleum Chapel of Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 – 7th Ave., Rock Island. Memorials may be made to the Tuberous Sclerosis Association.

Avis was born on June 4, 1922 in Paton, IA, a daughter of Edward Robert Lane and Lydia Tracy Schonert Lane. She married William “Bill” Edward Andrew on November 5, 1938 in Churdan, IA. He preceded her in death on January 8, 1967. Bill was the love of her life. She lived every day after his death to keep his spirit alive with the Grandchildren that followed so they would know their Grandfather.

Avis worked for 30 years at the former Woolworth’s in Rock Island. Retiring as manager of the fountain in 1983. In her own right, she was a “world-class baker”, making many cakes and pies over the years for family ,friends and folks she did not know. She also loved music and was a self-taught piano player. It is hard to estimate the number of people in and around the Midwest that Avis touched with her quiet grace. She served her faith by serving people. If you ate at the Woolworths counter in Rock Island then you will remember the sweet curly-haired red headed serving the masses. She came in every morning around 5am and baked the pies and cakes and worked through to closing behind the counter. Always smiling and always a kind word.

After working all day she went home in the evening and continued to bake cakes for her family, neighbors, friends of friends and total strangers. Avis baked her love into the batter and frosted them so beautifully that they took your breath away. There may be thousands of cake pictures around the Midwest which are the documented love and faithful dedication of this quiet baker.

To say she loved her family would not be a big enough statement. She dedicated herself to her children, and her grandchildren. Avis was never a materialistic person. She had to be convinced to trade in her ringer washing machine for a Maytag back in the 70’s. It is possible that she only saw it as a worthwhile investment because it would give her more time to cook something wonderful for her family.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children (and spouses), Connie Mae Greim, Erie, IL, and William Edward (Pam) Andrew, Jr., Chatham, IL; grandchildren, Shelli (Tom) Eng, Erie, Angela Suzanne (Darren) Jacobs, Erie, Kristen Melissa (Dane) Barhoover, Lenexa, KS, and Kyle Christopher Andrew, Chatham; great-grandchildren, Erica Mae Eng, Laykin Ann-Ruth Mlekush, and Case Andrew Barhoover; great great-granddaughter, Lyla Rose Johnson; one sister, Grace Lane, Kansas City, MO; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Avis is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, Robert Eugene Greim, granddaughter, Tammy Sue Greim, brothers; Homer “Bud” Lane, William “Bill” Lane, Roscoe Harlan “Rusty” Lane, and sisters; Beulah “Sis” Lane-Millard, Elsie Mae “Toots” Lane-Williamson, Lucile “Lou” Lane-Loveless.