Cecilia M. Kluge

NAME Cecilia M. Kluge, of Elburn, age 85, passed away peacefully Monday evening, June 12, 2006, at Delnor Community Hospital. BORN: She was born October 20, 1920, the daughter of George and Clara (Schutte) Kirchoff in Evansville, IN. EARLY YEARS :She grew up in Evansville and attended local schools, graduating from St. Boniface in 1938. Following graduation she moved to Washington D.C. to find a job and help support the war movement. MARRIAGE It was on a blind date that fate intervened and she met her husband Wallace Kluge, a soldier from Chicago. On June 24, 1943, they were united in marriage and made their home in Washington D.C. for a time before Wallace was called to serve his country while Cecilia came back home to live with her family. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: After his discharge, Wallace and Cecilia reunited and settled in Chicago where she worked nights at Bankers Life and Casualty. The family moved to Bethany, IL, for a time before moving to Bellville where Cecilia worked as a Nurse’s Aid. Shortly after, in 1968, the family moved back to Chicago where she again worked at Bankers Life and Casualty, eventually retiring after 38 years of service in 1985. In 1990, Wallace finally lost his brave and long battle with cancer on January 1st, 1990. Following his death, Cecilia continued to make her home in Chicago until moving to Elburn to be closer to her family in 1998. MEMBERSHIPS Cecilia was a faithful member of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Chicago and in later years, S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. She was also treasurer on The Wallbanger’s bowling league. LIFE NOTES She loved her daughters and gave all she had to make a better life for them, but when she had time to herself, many hobbies brought a smile to her face. Cecilia loved to crotchet, and cross-stitch, finish crossword puzzles, and play cards, especially Pinochle. Every spring and summer, her garden overflowed with an abundance of every vegetable under the sun. On the dance floor, Cecilia was always found in the warm embrace of her husband Wallace where time seemed to stop. She also spent every Thursday night bowling for The Wallbanger’s. Whenever she could, Cecilia escaped the confines of her home through many different books. From romance, period and mystery novels to the daily newspaper, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t read. Cecilia was fiercely independent and found solace in doing things for herself. It was only in her last days that she finally gave in and allowed others to help, but she never liked it. SURVIVORS She now leaves her five daughters:Karen (Richard) Olson of MN, Donna Kluge of CO, Sandra (Alan) Svihla of Maple Park Jerrianne (Rick) Barber and one daughter Michelle of Chicago, and Celeste (Paul) Gianfrancisco of Naperville, IL;One sister, Irene Major of Evansville, INTwo sister-in-laws:Rose Kirchoff of Evansville, IN and Shirley Ankerholtz of Carol Stream, IL;Many nieces and nephews and a family of friends. PRECEDED She now joins her parents, her husband Wallace, one brother Clement Kirchoff, one sister, Betty Kirchoff and one child who died in infancy, who preceded her in death. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit the American Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Checks may be made to the "Cecilia Kluge Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conleycare.com.

Friends may call from 9:00-10:00 a.m. with a mass to celebrate her life to follow at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2006 at S.S. Peter & Paul Church, Virgil. Monsignor William Clausen, pastor of The Church of St. Mary, Maple Park, will preside and Deacon Jim Newhouse will officiate.

Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL, on Friday June 16,2006 at 2:00 PM.