Lillian Henschel

Lillian T. Henschel, 102, nee Hermann, formerly of Chicago, Wood Dale and of Bartlett; wife of the late Hugo; mother of Karen (late Richard) Touve, Ralph (Marilyn) Henschel, and Debra (David) Lockwood; grandmother of Sarah,Jonathan and the late Christopher Anthony Henschel, David (Laura) Touve, Michelle (David) Holland, Christine (fiancé Robert) Lockwood, Gregory (Tanya) Lockwood; great grandmother of Alena, Madison, Olive, Logan and Taya; aunt of Edith (late Robert) Klopp, great aunt of Mark Klopp, and many other nieces and nephews who live throughout the country; sister of the late Karl (late Vivian), late William and late Helen Hermann and daughter of the late Charles and Frances, nee Koger, Hermann. Her parents, Charles (1889-1957) and Frances (1894-1979) were from Austria, Tauken and Rotenturon respectively, met in the United States and became citizens in the 1920's. Charles worked at Concordia Teachers College in Oak Park (it might be River Forest) and really did ride his bike 13 miles very early each morning to get there since he was the baker. Prior to that, Charles was the bread baker at his family's bakery. Lillian’s mother, Frances (Franziska Koger) came over on the S.S. Chicago, which sailed on Feb 13, 1909. The ship manifest states she was 16, single.

Lillian was born in Chicago in 1918. She graduated from Bethel Lutheran ElementarySchool in 1933 and Austin High School in 1937. Shortly after graduating from high school she married Hugo Henschel (who passed away in 1995). Lillian met her husband, Hugo (aka Hooks) during a church softball game. They were married on May 27, 1938 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago. Hugo and Lillian lived in Chicago until 1967 when they built their first house in Wood Dale. They moved to Bartlett in the mid-1980’s, where they lived the remainder of their lives.

Lillian worked part time at National Tea while in high school. Her first full time job was at Montgomery Wards and she also did some temporary work at Brach Candy and for Bethel Church. She went on to work for National Paper Box as a telephone operator in the early 1940s, and then moved on to Czerwic Lumber Company until she moved to Wood Dale with her husband. She was then employed as an inventory control clerk at Clow Corporation in Bensenville.

Lillian was a strong and self-sufficient woman, surviving 26 years as a widow after losing her husband. She had a quick wit and laugh, and always a smile to greet you. She loved to wear a nice outfit and put on make-up everyday even if she wasn't going anywhere special. Lill and Hooks were social in their younger years and had many groups of friends. Most memorable were the poker, pinochle and Mr. & Mrs. (church) groups. She was good at sports including softball, golf, and swimming and she loved to sew, knit and crochet. Later in life, Lilllian was a volunteer at the Hanover Township Senior Center helping with Meals on Wheels, reception and assisting on an as-needed basis; she was also one of Victory Centre's first residents.

A celebration of Lillian's life will be held on Monday, July 12th, with family gathering at 10:00 am at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.) Bartlett with her service beginning at 10:30 am. Her cremains will be buried privately at Mt. Emblem. Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to Hanover Township Foundation would be appreciated.