Denise Joan Krueger

Denise Joan Krueger (nee Kessel), our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 19th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation for Denise will be on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Prayers will commence on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 9:15 a.m. also at the funeral home, followed by a procession to St. Colette Church, 3900 Meadow Drive, Rolling Meadows, for the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. The Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine.

Denise was born on June 27, 1934, in Chicago to James and Sue Kessel (Burkhardt). She grew up in Morton Grove and graduated from Niles Township High School, class of 1952.

Denise worked in an administrative role at GD Searle and Co in Skokie. Here she rekindled a friendship with former schoolmate Albert Krueger. It was the “Fabulous Fifties”, and big Al & Dee were enjoying all the fun Chicago had to offer by hanging out with lifelong friends, riding around in cool cars, and playing in and attending many sporting and social events. Denise and Al married on June 18, 1955, and began their life together. As the Krueger family grew with the adoption of their 3 children, Mike, Nancy & Mark, Al and Denise purchased a home in Palatine. In 1973, they were blessed with the birth of their 4th child Chris, completing their family. In 1994, Denise and Al downsized and moved to Rolling Meadows. Soon Denise was employed as a part-time librarian at the Rolling Meadows library. It was here, at the library that Denise really shined.

Denise’s early parochial school upbringing paved the way for her strong Catholic faith. She loved to start each day by attending mass. Her strong dedication to her faith was so incredible that her children lovingly nicknamed her “The Pope”. That faith carried her through her ovarian cancer treatments while keeping her cancer free for over 30 years.

Her pastime enjoyment included reading and music (especially Elvis), but she especially loved watching movies. Each year Denise would faithfully see all the films nominated for Academy Awards while following up with an Oscar themed party with her friends, aka “the Whoopie girls.” Her retirement party from the library was even Oscar themed and meant so much to her!

Denise enjoyed traveling but her utmost enjoyment came from time spent at home with her family celebrating holidays and milestones. She also loved playing the penny slots at casinos and was known to splurge occasionally on the nickel slots. Her social life was always full whether she was out with her adoptive parent group, her aerobic/ walking friends, the senior center group, and the outings they went on, or just visiting with her lifelong friends and neighbors.

Denise was welcomed into heaven with open arms by her loved ones who passed on before her, especially her parents Jim and Sue, her soulmate and loving husband Al in 2001, her brother Jay, her Aunt Agnes, and her youngest grandchild Miles in 2022.

Denise will always be remembered as the most kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend who had a smile that could light up any room and a beautiful heart that loved us all.

Denise is survived by her four children: Michael (Jackie), Nancy (Ramon) Maldonado, Mark (Diane) and Chris (Amanda); and her grandchildren, Matthew, Bill, Michele, Courtney, Isabella, Emily, Erin, Alex, Jackson & Caroline.