Claralee Little, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Lightways Hospice, surrounded by her family.

Born on July 28, 1936, in Virginia, IL, to Edward and Emma Davidsmeier, Claralee grew up on the family farm. At 14, she met the love of her life, Leslie Little, at the movie theater where he worked in Beardstown, IL. A week after Leslie returned from serving in the Korean War, they were married on November 7, 1954, in Beardstown. The couple settled in Joliet, where they raised their family.

Claralee was a devoted and loving mother to her daughters, Cindy and Pam, and was affectionately known as "GG" by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the greatest joys of her life. She loved having the family over for pool parties and always kept a secret stash of cookies in the drawer for her great grandchildren. Claralee and Leslie enjoyed many cross-country road trips in their van to Las Vegas with her sister and brother-in-law, Joann and Richard McGill, hoping to hit the jackpot. She also went on summer trips with her daughters and sister, Joann. It didn't matter where they went; they always had fun just being together.

A special thank you to her sister-in-law, Sally, and niece, Lori Barber, for being there and keeping her company when she needed it most.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, Leslie Little; her daughter, Pam (Juan) Calderon; her son-in-law, Doug Kuban; her grandchildren, Tim Schubert, Natalie (Rob) Humann, Andy (Angela) Kuban, Kaylee (Chris) Miller, Monica Calderon, and Blake (Bailey) Calderon; her great-grandchildren, Christopher and Brody Schubert, Emma Hoffman, Tyler, Morgan, Maxwel, Zander, and Maggie Humann, Jonathan and Cyrus Kuban, Hank and Eli Miller, and Chase Calderon; her sister, Joann McGill; her sisters-in-law, Lula Little and Sally (Frank) Barber; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Claralee was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Emma Davidsmeier; her daughter, Cindy; her siblings, Rose (in infancy), Velma, Marcella, Berdella, Frieda, Norman (Georgia), Johnny (Pat), Jimmy, and Mary (Marty) Pond; her in-laws, Herman and Nettie Little; her sister-in-law, Martha Little; and her brothers-in-law, Herman Jr. (Helene), Charles (Wilma), Jack Little, and Richard McGill.

Claralee's warmth, love, and spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her.

Memorial Service for Claralee will be held at Farkas Funeral Home, 3201 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60431 on Saturday March 15, 2025, at 2:00pm. Memorial visitation will be held from 12 pm until time of services. Inurnment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at a later date.

For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com.