Elias Kent Kane Chapter, NSDAR
St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Elias Kent Kane Chapter, NSDAR

Chapter History

​Organized as a Lantern Chapter from the Aurora Chapter, NSDAR, the Elias Kent Kane Chapter was founded on May 10, 1988. Named in honor of Illinois’s first Secretary of State and U.S. Senator, our chapter proudly upholds the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

From the beginning, our members have engaged in local, state, and national initiatives that reflect these values. Historic preservation remains central to our mission, with chapter-led restoration efforts at the Jones Law Office and Garfield Cemetery, including gravestone cleaning and documentation. We’ve placed historical markers at the grave of Patriot William Bennett in Campton Hills and the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House in Elgin.

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Each year, we offer a college scholarship to a graduating senior and honor students through the DAR Good Citizens Program. Our outreach includes history programming for children, participation in a local Literacy Bee, stewardship of the Shabbona-Beeler Society, C.A.R., and filling Little Free Libraries with patriotic literature. Our chapter also supports DAR Schools and American Indian initiatives through service and donations.

 

Our commitment to veterans and active-duty service members is a proud cornerstone of our chapter’s mission. We host a reception at an annual concert, provide essential supplies for Stand Downs, and volunteer at the National Gathering of American Indian Veterans. Through ongoing efforts, we send Care Packages to deployed female military personnel, donate books to veterans, service members, and their families, send cards, and crochet leis as part of the Operation Welcome Home national project. We also take part in Flag Day celebrations and flag retirement ceremonies, honoring the symbol of our nation with respect and tradition.

With members ranging in age from 18 to 95, the Elias Kent Kane Chapter is a vibrant, multigenerational community united by a common purpose. Grateful for every opportunity to serve, we look forward to continuing our mission—advancing the timeless values of God, Home, and Country through meaningful projects in preservation, education, and patriotic service.

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Elias Kent Kane Chapter, NSDAR Member Honors

 

• The Chapter’s first Regent, Joan Klinkey served as State Chairman of Public Relations, Motion Picture, Radio, and Television 1991-1993, and the President General’s Project Committee 1993-1995.

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• Jayne Cates served as State Chairman of Conservation 1999-2001; District IV Director 2003-2005; State Chairman DAR Museum 2005-2007; State Program and Yearbook Committee 2009-2011; Chairman of State Membership Committee 2011-2012, and as State Chairman Commemorative Events 2014-2015.

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• Patricia Winter served the State Organization as Resolutions Chairman 2005-2013.

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• Gayla Steel served as State Chairman of Literacy Promotion 2011-2013, 2013-2015; State Conservation Chairman 2013-2018; District IV Ways & Means Chairman 2013-2014, Co-Chair 2014-2015; District IV Director 2015-2017; American History Chair 2018-2019.

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• Heather Simpson served as State Chairman JAC 2011-2013; President General’s State Project 2013-2019.

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• Shirley Stinsa served as Co-Chair State Conference Awards and Certificates 2013-2021; State Conference Awards and Certificates Advisor for 2021-2023.

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• Diane Eads served as State Conference Marshall 2019-2021, 2023-2025; State Conference Awards and Certificates Chairman for 2021-2025; District IV Treasurer 2023-2025.

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• Kara Marselle was honored as 2019 VIS of the Year at State Conference held in 2020 and served as State Vice-Chair VIS Social Media Compliance 2020-2021.

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• DeeAnn Carlson is currently serving as the Chair of the Illinois State Application team for 2023-2025.

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• Christine Harmon was appointed State Chair of DAR Records Preservation 2025.

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