Ella Vondrak

Ella Vondrak, Age 89, of Elburn, formerly of Arlington Heights passed away unexpectedly, Sunday evening, September 10, 2006 at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva where she was admitted following a recent fall.BORN / EARLY YEARS/ EDUCATIONShe was born February 1, 1917 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Ralph Gordon and Ella Gladys (Gunn) Holmes. The eldest of three girls, Ella’s youngest sister died in 1929 at the age of five and in 1934, her mother died as well. As the family struggled through their loss and the country’s depression years Ella and Harriet went to live with their maternal grandparents. Ella attended Harper High School and made many life long girl friends who enjoyed dances at the Trianon Ball Room on Saturday night as well as singing in the Methodist Church choir on Sunday morning. MARRIAGE & FAMILYIn her late teens, Ella began working as a housekeeper and the family, for whom she worked, would eventually introduce her to George Vonrak. A romance began which blossomed into matrimony on August 16, 1941, as Ella and George were united in marriage. They made their home on Chicago’s south side where they lived with George’s mother for a time. Ella and George were blessed with a daughter in 1944 and two years later, moved to an apartment at 66th and Kedzie. That neighborhood would be home to the Vondrak family for nearly forty years until 1979 when they moved to Glen Ellyn. There, as throughout her life, Ella was involved in her church and enjoyed her family and grandchildren. A Cubs fan in the midst of a family of Sox fans, Ella’s lone partner in baseball was her grandson, Mick, who routed for the Cubs as well. Ella loved cooking for family gatherings and never quite knew who or how many her husband might be bringing home for dinner. None left hungry and all raved about her meat loaf and butter cookies. Great food, good times and true hearts were all part of the heritage and something that Ella passed on to her granddaughter, Chris who spent hours listening to grandma’s stories. Following George’s death in 1988, Ella remained in Glen Ellyn for two years until 1990 when she moved to Arlington Heights to make her home with her sister Harriet. Together, they were a fun and feisty team who continued to enjoy life while helping each other through the hard times. In 2001 Ella and Harriet moved to Elburn to be near Ella’s daughter, Harriet, and her family. True to form, they soon became involved with the Community Congregational Church, making fast friends there with young and old alike. SURVIVORS She is survived by her daughter, Harriet (Michael) Kostal of rural St. Charles, Two grandchildren: Michael (Jean) Kostal of Naperville, ILKristen Kostal of rural St. Charles, IL Two great grandchildren Emma and Jack Kostal of Napeville, ILOne sister, Harriet Walenches of ElburnOne cousin, Robert (Virginia) Gunn of Wisconsin andMany friends across the generations. PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her husband George, her parents and one sister Charlotte.A memorial has been established in Ella’s name to benefit the Community Congregational Church, Elburn. Memorial checks may be made to the Ella Vondrak 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 her obituary at www.conleycare.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 13, 2006 from 3:30 pm to 6:30pm at the Community Church, 100 Shannon Street and Rt. 47, Elburn, IL. An evening funeral service will follow at 7pm at the church. The Rev. Robert Meisner will officiate.

Cemetery committal services will be held Thursday morning, at 10am, September 14 at the Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park, 9100 Archer Ave, Willow Springs, IL 60480.