Delores P. “Dolly” Lomprez, 87, of Rochester died Thursday, September 22, 2016 at her residence.

Dolly was born June 17, 1929 in Springfield, the daughter of William Kavirt and Bernice (Mazika) Kavirt.  She married Edward M. “Eddie” Lomprez of Springfield on December 31, 1948.  He preceded her in death in 2009. 

Dolly and Eddie had no children of their own but enjoyed the company of and are survived by several nieces and nephews: Glenn and Diane Manning (her primary caregivers), Alice Manning-Dowd (Andrew, deceased), Elaine and Jerry Kuhn, Bryan Manning, Phillip and Nellie Trello, Allen Wayne and Donna McKenzie, Diane (Lomprez) Evans, Danny, Kenny and Jack Jr. Lomprez.  Dolly loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Eddie, nephew Gary Lomprez, her brothers Willie, Edward (infant), sisters Alice (infant), Lillian Trello, Bernice Manning and Alice McKenzie.  A favorite expression of Dolly’s was “I was the youngest and I came in with the Great Depression”.  Those were tough times for a family of five siblings raised by a young, single mother and no doubt led to the frugality Dolly was known for in her later life.  

Dolly was 100% Lithuanian, quite proud of her Lithuanian heritage and a member of Springfield’s Lithuanian-American Club.  An interesting bio on the Kavirt family is the subject of chapter 10 of “A Century Of Lithuanians In Springfield, Illinois” written by local author and Lithuanian historian Sandy Baksys          

Dolly entered the work force right out of high school as an electronics assembler at Sangamo Electric Company and retired from the Rochester School District’s food service team.  

She was a master gardener and equestrian.  As early as grade school, she fell in love with horses, spending all her spare time at a nearby sale barn.  She showed horses occasionally but enjoyed the simple pleasures of riding and caring for them more.  For a while during the early ‘70s Dolly owned her own horse, named “Amigo”.  Actually, she was a lover of all animals – except “those damned moles and squirrels!”  The rural Lomprez residence was a great home and playground to many strays and neighborhood pets.  She also enjoyed working at anything outside, helping Eddie maintain the four homes they built during 60 years of marriage.  Dolly was also a talented artist, working with ceramics and designing and painting the many wood craft items that she and Eddie produced in their carpenter shop.  

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 noon on Monday, September 26, 2016 at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester with Reverend Vaughn Beeman officiating.  Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Dolly’s favorite charities, The Smile Train, American Leprosy Missions or St. Labre Indian School.  

 Service Information