LANARK – The Eastland Cougars have lost one of their most loyal fans. Marlis Kapfenstein, 87, of Lanark, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025 at FHN Hospital in Freeport. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering community spirit, a love for family, and a seat forever reserved among the "Big Four" at Cougar games.
Marlis was born on December 21, 1938, in Mitchell, South Dakota, the daughter of William and Alice (Manon) Duba. She attended a one-room country school through eighth grade and graduated from Ethan High School in 1956.
As a young single mother, she made the difficult decision to give her newborn son, Greg, a better life through adoption. She later married Donald Kapfenstein on March 1, 1959, and together they had two daughters. In 1960, they moved to Carroll County, Illinois, where they built a life together. Marlis and Don faced heartache in 1980 when they lost their daughter, Jodeen, after an accident in Texas-one of the hardest moments of her life. After Marlis and Don divo

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