Mary E. Regelbrugge

MARY E. REGELBRUGGE, age 79, of St. Charles, passed away in her home of her daughter and was lifted up by the love and prayers of her family as she claimed the promise of her Savior on Thursday, April 8, 2010.BORN: She was born on March 4, 1931 in Elmhurst, IL, the son of John and Julia (Furlong) Ladwig. EARLY YEARS:Mary grew up in Elmhurst and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Mary worked at a local bakery for a time, cleaning up the store after school. After graduation she got a job at the Catholic Order of Foresters, a company who sold insurance and based Chicago at that time. MARRIAGE: While working at The Foresters, Mary found the love of her life and rode home on the train with Charles William Regelbrugge, or Bill as he was known. A friendship blossomed into love and before too long those train rides turned into the ride of a lifetime when they were married on October 19, 1957. Fifty-two years later they were still in love and making new memories every day. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together living in an apartment in Aurora before moving to St. Charles for a time. In 1960 they built a new house in Geneva and began raising a family. Following the passing of Mary’s father, her mother came to live with the growing family. Ten years later in 1970, the family moved to Red Gate Rd. in St. Charles where there could be enough room to accommodate one daughter and nine sons. After the children had grown they continued to live in St. Charles until deteriorating health both Mary and Bill were invited into their daughter’s home in St. Charles in 2006. MEMBERSHIPS: Mary was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Charles. LIFE NOTES: Mary was an excellent cook who made the most of what they had, especially in lean times. She always made sure that everyone received a breakfast, lunch and dinner. With a growing family of ten, Mary learned to sew for not just her children but delicate pillow cases as well. Outside she loved to garden which helped to supplement each meal but also provided their home with beautiful views from inside and out. After seventy-nine years and a million memories, Mary didn’t say goodbye to family and friends, just "until we meet again".SURVIVORS: She now leaves her loving husband Bill, Ten Children:Tom (Holly) Regelbrugge, Pat (Kelly) Regelbrugge, Mike (Jeannie) Regelbrugge, Julie (John) Wilson, David (Deb) Regelbrugge, Paul (Connie Bough) Regelbrugge, Dan (Wendy) Regelbrugge, Richard (Laura) Regelbrugge, Edward (Stephanie) Regelbrugge and Francis (Paula) Regelbrugge;Twenty-seven grandchildren;Five great-grandchildren;One brother, John Ladwig, One nephew, Robert Ladwig and a family of friends.PRECEDED:She was preceded in death by her parents. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be one hour prior to mass at St. Patrick Catholic Mission Church on Crane Rd., St. Charles at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Fr. Paul White will officiate and interment will follow at Prairie Township Cemetery. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit Provena Hospice. Checks may be made to the "Mary Regelbrugge Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be one hour prior to mass at St. Patrick Catholic Mission Church on Crane Rd., St. Charles at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Fr. Paul White will officiate.

Interment will follow at Prairie Township Cemetery.