Elgin woman was devoted to family, faith

Villa Cork was a homemaker who told her 13 children she wanted to see them in heaven.

"She was a wonderful, wonderful woman who was a dedicated mother, grandmother and wife," said her son, Floyd Cork of Huntley. "She had a strong faith, which she instilled in all her children. She said, 'I want to see each one of you in heaven.'"

Mrs. Cork died New Year's Day at Rosewood Care Center of Elgin, a week short of her 99th birthday.

Her daughter, Evona Krarup believes that keeping busy and being around her family contributed to her long life. She never lacked for visits from her extensive family. Mrs. Cork is survived by 12 children, 42 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren

"She was always doing something for everyone," Evona recalled. "It was cooking, or baking or taking care of the children. She also helped out at the church (Elgin Church of the Nazarene) with crafts."

Mrs. Cork had lived in Elgin independently until two weeks ago when she entered the hospital with pneumonia. She did her own cooking and tended her garden until about two years ago, and did her own canning and freezing when her children were growing up.

"She was a God-fearing woman," said Gary Griffin of Barrington. His wife, Lynette, is one of the grandchildren. "We visited her on Christmas and she asked me to bring her Bible from home. She was still reading it. She wasn't your typical 98-year-old."

Mrs. Cork was born Jan. 8, 1910 in Bismark, Ind., and raised on a farm. She married Albert Cork, who was also from a farming family. They bought 10 acres to farm in Burlington, Ill., but Albert had to go to work during the Great Depression.

"He worked for a division of Illinois Tool Works," said Floyd Cork. "He was devoted to the company. He stood up against the union because he said he would never go against a company which had given him a job and allowed him to put food on the table. My mother stood with him on that."

Mrs. Cork moved to Elgin after her husband died in 1975 of cancer at age 65.

In addition to her son and daughter, Mrs. Cork is survived by daughters Irene Ludwig of West Chicago, Lella Kramka of Woodstock, Freeda Springer of Hopedale, Ill., Wanda Swanson of Elgin, Janice Sneed of Ipsilanti, Mich. and Rita Evan of Elgin. She is survived by her sons Merrill of Huntley, Leland of Elgin, Harlan of Burlington and Carl of Greensborough, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her son, Glen.

Funeral arrangements are pending.