Kasia Kreitz

Kasia Marie Kreitz peacefully completed her journey home to Christ on the morning August 15th, 2017 at the age of 51. Born as a special child of Christ on October 8th, 1965, Kasia (lovingly known as “Big Ha” to her family) left an indelible mark of affection on anyone blessed enough to be in her life. She owned a massive capacity of unconditional love that she shared through her wide smiles, genuine hugs and the uncanny ability to make each person she knew feel special (“You so pretty!”). She had a way of lighting up when she first saw you, immediately erasing the ills of the day and leaving no doubt that you deserved the love she was offering. Kasia spent the entirety of her almost 52 years with her cherished mother, Judy and her adored father, Jim. From the moment she was born, their lives had turned special and a journey of tears, laughter and stubborn perseverance had begun. Kasia defied limitations, whether natural or imposed, rejecting a doctor’s declaration that she would live a short and unsubstantial existence by living a full and extraordinary life. She was a permanent fixture at all events and functions involving family and friends, acting the role of “princess” and doing plenty to earn the title. Through her immediate and extended family she witnessed more football games, danced at more weddings, held more babies and simply lived more fully than any thousand people combined. She had a strong resilience to things she opposed (usually involving some form of work) commonly referred to as her “German stubbornness”, a trait that could be as charming as it was exasperating, but a required ingredient to her persevering spirit, nonetheless. She had many interests, such as music, dancing, a unique form of singing, movies, receiving presents and then receiving more presents, being Donnie Osmond’s lover, and being a connoisseur of coffee and “diet” wine. She was an accomplished swimmer, gymnast and track athlete, earning more medals and trophies than any superstar, and doing so with far more limitations. But, Kasia’s true and soulful passion was in her love for her four “baby brothers”: Thad, Kurt, Eric and Broc. As a special child of Christ, Kasia did not marry or have children of her own, but, through her four younger brothers, she served as a joyful witness to the growth of her family to include four “so sexy” sister-in-laws and eleven nieces and nephews. The significance of her presence in their lives is unquantifiable, just as it is in the lives of everyone who has been left behind to testify to her brilliant existence and to rejoice in her rejoining the cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins already awaiting her in God’s kingdom. Of the innumerable things that will be missed by her leaving us will be the multitude of ways Kasia made the lives of those she touched “unique”. Whether it be her family, her friends, her mentor Janice, her counselors at ADI and STARZ, or any other person she met on her journey, they all tell stories of a unique brand of life and love. “Normal” is boring and normal is not Kasia. As in life, she was just as resilient in death, staying with her family and friends long enough to shun the experts and to enjoy her role as “princess” up to (and quite possibly beyond) the moment Christ arrived to bring her home. Kasia had a favorite spot on the couch in the family room of her parent’s Sugar Grove home where you would often find her bursting with a smile to greet you as you stepped through the front door on a visit. At this spot, several of Kasia’s favorite things intersected: watching sporting events on TV with her father; sitting with her mother while eating a desert; spending time with her furry “other brother”, Bo, their large, sheep-shaped Golden Retriever; watching movies; and waiting for her brothers and their families to return home to see her. On Earth as it is in Heaven, Kasia has found her special place, surrounded by loved ones, hand-in-hand with Christ, impressing those she meets and blessing all those she awaits.
A visitation will be from 4:00-6:00pm, Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Westridge Church in Elgin, 3300 Encounter Lane. A funeral service to celebrate Kasia’s life will follow at 6:00pm with Darren Sloniger officiating. Cremation rites will follow.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kasia’s name. Contributions may be made to “Fox Valley Special Recreation” Attn. Marcela, and mailed to; 2121 W. Indian Trail Road, Aurora, IL 60506 or emailed to marcelaa@fvsra.org OR the “Adult Down Syndrome Center” and can be mailed to; 1610 Luther Lane, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Tributes may also be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral service to celebrate Kasia's life will be Friday, August 18, 2017 at 6:00pm.

A visitation will be from 4:00-6:00pm, Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Westridge Church in Elgin.