August
02,
1927
02,
1927
May
07,
2017
07,
2017
Listen to Obituary
Irene Katherine Allen Klotz, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, age 89 of Big Rock, passed away peacefully at Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion in Sandwich, IL on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Irene was born in Somonauk, IL on August 2, 1927 and attended school in Somonauk. She married Joseph Allen on March 8, 1947 and together they raised 7 children. She was preceded in death by Joe in 1988 and their daughter, Julie in 2010.
Irene met Dwight Klotz at their church, Salem Lutheran, in Sandwich and they married there on April 7, 1991. Their union created a blended family of 12 children. They decided to stop there. Together, they fulfilled their passion for travel and had fun wherever they went, sharing their love for people and each other.
In addition to raising 7 children, Irene waitressed at some of the finest dining spots in the area until she became a travel agent at age 42. Working for Wunderlich Travel and The Travel Place, she never met a stranger and had a loyal following in both of her careers.
For years, Irene participated in a bowling league, The Ruth Unit at her church and was instrumental in starting the Buzzin’ Dozen Club, a group of twelve wives that needed a night away from responsibility to eat, play cards, laugh. That club lasted over 50 years.
She is survived by her husband, Dwight of Big Rock, IL; her children, Joan Don Hafenrichter of Yorkville, IL, Larry Laura Allen of Sandwich, IL, Patty Allen of Oceanside, CA, Susan Allen of Yorkville, IL, Debi Merriken of San Marcos, CA, and John Christine Allen of Escondido, CA and her stepchildren, Mike Joyce Klotz of Big Rock, IL, Greg Renee Klotz of Big Rock, IL, Vicky Wielert of Hinckley, IL, Melinda Tim Engel of Hinckley, IL, and Gay Coakley of Sandwich, IL; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; four half siblings and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Church in Sandwich, IL with Pastor Wayne Derber officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Mound Cemetery in Somonauk, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the church in Sandwich. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, Open Door Rehabilitation, or the charity of one’s choice. A special thank you goes out to the staff of Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion and Unity Hospice. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home606 E. Arnold Rd.Sandwich, IL 60548815-786-2165
Irene was born in Somonauk, IL on August 2, 1927 and attended school in Somonauk. She married Joseph Allen on March 8, 1947 and together they raised 7 children. She was preceded in death by Joe in 1988 and their daughter, Julie in 2010.
Irene met Dwight Klotz at their church, Salem Lutheran, in Sandwich and they married there on April 7, 1991. Their union created a blended family of 12 children. They decided to stop there. Together, they fulfilled their passion for travel and had fun wherever they went, sharing their love for people and each other.
In addition to raising 7 children, Irene waitressed at some of the finest dining spots in the area until she became a travel agent at age 42. Working for Wunderlich Travel and The Travel Place, she never met a stranger and had a loyal following in both of her careers.
For years, Irene participated in a bowling league, The Ruth Unit at her church and was instrumental in starting the Buzzin’ Dozen Club, a group of twelve wives that needed a night away from responsibility to eat, play cards, laugh. That club lasted over 50 years.
She is survived by her husband, Dwight of Big Rock, IL; her children, Joan Don Hafenrichter of Yorkville, IL, Larry Laura Allen of Sandwich, IL, Patty Allen of Oceanside, CA, Susan Allen of Yorkville, IL, Debi Merriken of San Marcos, CA, and John Christine Allen of Escondido, CA and her stepchildren, Mike Joyce Klotz of Big Rock, IL, Greg Renee Klotz of Big Rock, IL, Vicky Wielert of Hinckley, IL, Melinda Tim Engel of Hinckley, IL, and Gay Coakley of Sandwich, IL; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; four half siblings and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Church in Sandwich, IL with Pastor Wayne Derber officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Mound Cemetery in Somonauk, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the church in Sandwich. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, Open Door Rehabilitation, or the charity of one’s choice. A special thank you goes out to the staff of Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion and Unity Hospice. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home606 E. Arnold Rd.Sandwich, IL 60548815-786-2165
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