Judy Ann Kleiser, 70 of Elgin, passed away at her family homestead on August 4th, 2016.
Born in Elgin on December 29th, 1945 to Joseph H. and Lucille (Thiele) Kleiser, Judy graduated from St. Josephs Grade School and St. Edward Central Catholic High School in 1963.
She then graduated with her Registered Nursing Degree from St. Charles School of Nursing in Aurora in 1966. During her 40 plus years in the Nursing Profession, she found herself on the cutting edge of new medical innovations. Amongst many were being an integral part of the team spearheading the setup of the first Intensive Care Unit in Elgin at St. Joseph Hospital. She later was lead RN at the same hospital when they started their Cardiac Catheterization Unit.
Retirement years brought her the free time to explore other new interests. She could be found often at the Gail Borden Library researching those interests and attending various programs. She also enjoyed Senior Citizen Sponsored outings to Casinos, Shopping Venues and Theaters.
Judy is survived by her sister Linda M. (Kleiser) and her brother-in-law Thomas L. Conro, a nephew and his wife, Harold J. and Lynda (Moore) Frey and their children, Jef and Ashley Frey.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Bertha (Willman) Kleiser, Gus and Katie (Neu) Thiele who built the afore mentioned homestead 101 years ago, her parents and another sister Mary K. (Kleiser) Frey Jackson and her 3 beloved Miniature Schnauzers, Inca, Flirt and Major.
A Memorial Mass, planned by her St. Edward H.S. classmates of 1963, will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 5pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elgin. All are welcome to attend.
Graveside services and interment will be held at a future date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Elgin, with Reverend Robert Camacho of St. Joseph’s Church in Elgin officiating.
Donations in Judy’s memory can be made to “The West Burb Wieners Benevolent Society”, a 501c3 Pet Rescue Charity, and would be greatly appreciated as a way of continuing her professional work of saving lives. Simply go to their website, westburbwieners.org.