Eileen A. Loya

Eileen S Loya, age 99, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at the Monmouth Nursing Home on February 5,2013 at 12:30 am. Eileen was born on July 16, 1913 in Chicago, Illinois, and is the daughter of Gunnar and Ines Hyvarinen Sandberg. She was raised in Chicago, where she attended public schools and graduated from Carl Schurz High School. She attended the Metropolitan Business College and was employed with the University of the Illinois College of Medicine in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry in Chicago. During her youth, Eileen was active in Finnish social activities, and performed in theatrical and musical productions that were in the Finnish language which she had learned before English, at home, and studied to become literate. A highlight was her participation, acting and dancing, for festivities that celebrated the 1930 opening of the Lincoln Auditorium, which became a hub of social life for the Finnish community in Chicago, where she met her husband-to-be. Eileen was married to Heimo A. "Hal" Loya on April 21, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. Her love of music and the common Finnish heritage built a strong foundation for her 55-year marriage. She first came to Monmouth in 1936 when her husband "Hal" joined the faculty of the music department. She became a student who also was a part-time employee of Illinois Bankers Life Assurance Co. In 1952 she accepted a temporary position in the Monmouth College business office, and then in 1954-55 served as acting business manager and later secretary to the College President. During her tenure with Monmouth College, she attended the University of Omaha for a summer business course. Eileen served many years as administrative secretary and administrative assistant to five presidents at the college, and also was involved in the actions of the College Senate, procedures at commencement, and alumni relations. Eileen officially retired in 1980. Eileen was a member of First Lutheran Church and active in the choirs of both the Lutheran and Methodist churches for the better part of fifty years. She was active, serving as president in Lutheran Church Women and was assembly coordinator for the Galesburg District LCW and at the state level. She was a member of the LCW Editorial Board of the Lutheran Women's Magazine. She also was one of the nominating committee of the Constitutional Convention of E L C A She also taught Sunday school and was active in the United Way, American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetic Association. She was a member and former treasurer of the Business & Professional Women, president of Tau Kappa Epsilon Mothers, president of Pi Beta Phi Mothers, president of Fortnightly Club, and president of the Crimson Clan. Eileen was presented with Order of Diana of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Distinguished Service Award from Monmouth College. Eileen loved art and presented three of her own art shows locally over a number of years. She was member and past president of Monmouth Associates, and served on the Maple Leaf Community Concert board, and the Health Committee at First Lutheran Church. Surviving her is one daughter, Karin E. Loya of Laurel, Maryland; and two sons Mervyn H. Loya of Eugene, Oregon; and Alan L. Loya (Rosa) of St. Louis, Missouri. Five (5) grandchildren, Kristin R. Loya of Hong Kong; Kari A. Loya of Elizabeth, New Jersey; Sara E. Schwerin (Sam) of New York, NY; Tobin B. Babst of Los Angeles, CA and Colin A. Loya of St. Louis, MO; three great-grandchildren, Kamila Loya, Joshua and Emma Schwerin. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Adele Sandberg of Chicago, Illinois and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Loya was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one brother. Services:Cremation has been accorded. A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on June 7,2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth, Illinois, followed by a light luncheon. The public is invited. Memorials have been established to include the Heimo and Eileen Loya Scholarship Fund, Monmouth College; Monmouth Nursing Home Employee Fund; or the First Lutheran Church ELCA, Monmouth.