In Photo: Pastor Loy Schlote of Our Savior, Joliet, with the new preschool sign and members of Judith Linich's family. The sign was a memorial gift in Mrs. Linich's honor.
Pastor Loy Schlote of Our Savior, Joliet, with the new preschool sign and members of Judith Linich’s family. The sign was a memorial gift in Mrs. Linich’s honor.

October 2016

In September of every school year, the students and families of Our Savior Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten in Joliet are invited to “Preschool Sunday” where they worship with the school staff and congregation members. To make the day even more special, a luncheon and ice cream social are held after the service. It is a time of fellowship where families can get to know each other as well as the church’s members, pastors and teachers.

This year was a little different. As a result of an unexpected and sudden death of the grandmother of a kindergarten student, the school had received memorial gifts in the name of that grandparent, Judith Linich.

As the school board discussed what to do with the memorial funds, it was decided to commemorate her memory by erecting a new sign for the school. (The old one was the original from 1992.)

Because of the generous memorials given, a new sign was installed and it included a plaque inscribed with the Matthew passage, “Let the children come to me,” along with Mrs. Linich’s name and the year.

The family was invited to the special worship service in September and was honored at a brief ceremony where the sign was consecrated by Pastor Loy Schlote.

“While it was a bitter sweet moment for the family, we know that they take comfort in the knowledge that their loved one is in the arms of her Savior,” said Preschool Administrator Tori Hicks. “The sign will stand as a reminder of the kind, Christian woman that she was.”

Joliet Preschool Dedicates Gift of New Sign