Dolores Austin

Dolores Marilyn Austin, age 89, of Geneva, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, to be at home with her Lord, Jesus Christ. Dolores was born in Melrose Park, IL, on August 25, 1929, to proud parents Raymond and Dorothea (Hogrewe) Selcke. She attended public schools in Maywood, IL, and every summer she spent her days at the family cabin near Spooner, WI. From basking in the cool waters of Des Moines Lake, to trying to catch the biggest fish, Dolores loved every minute of being in the nature that surrounded her. While attending Proviso East High School, Dolores not only met her academic standards, but she also met the love of her life. Robert “Bob” Austin noticed a fiery, red haired beauty while ice skating at “Shroggy’s Pond” in Maywood and he was smitten. Their courtship was interrupted for two years when Bob was called to serve in Japan during the occupation after World War II. When he came back, they were united in marriage August 30, 1947. Dolores and Bob lived in Hillside, IL, in a house they built from the ground up and where they welcomed two daughters, Sandra and Susan. In December of 2005, Bob passed away and shortly after his passing, Dolores moved to Geneva. Dolores was a homemaker until the last of her girls went away to college. In the early 1970’s, Dolores attended Triton Junior College and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked as a nurse for 25 years at LaGrange Community Memorial Hospital and had great satisfaction in her role as a caregiver. Dolores was a faithful member of Lord of Life Church and enjoyed her weekly Bible study. She was also a member of the Brookfield Zoo, one of her favorite places. When Dolores moved to Geneva in 2006 she reinvented herself and embraced her new community. Through Lord of Life Church and her condo neighbors, Dolores made many new friends and was always on the move. She enjoyed activities that included The Morning Blend Bible study and going to lunch, the theater, and movies with girlfriends. Dolores also enjoyed visiting Brookfield Zoo and rooting for the Kane County Cougars with her daughter, Susan, grandchildren, Angie and Greg, and niece, Ruth. Dolores had an amazing “green thumb” and helped Susan with her garden while tending to her own plants. When indoors you might find her decorating, watercolor painting, reading, or listening to the Cubs game. Dolores was one of the Cubs biggest fans. She also had a deep appreciation for Native American Art and culture. Her determination made Dolores a role model for her family as she was able to make her mark in her new home of Geneva and discovered so many new interests. She loved to learn, to help, and to have fun. There was never a dull moment in her schedule. Dolores is survived by her daughter, Susan Austin, and two grandchildren, Angela and Gregory Lhotak. She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Selcke and Dorothea Rapp; her loving husband, Robert Austin; her daughter, Sandra Anderson; and her brother, Bruce (Dorothy) Selcke. A visitation will be held Friday, December 14, 2018 from 10-11 am at Lord of Life Church, 40W605 IL-38, Elburn, IL 60119, with a service to follow at 11 am. Private family interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Dolores’s name at the Brookfield Zoo, http://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Donate/Memorials-and-Tributes. Tributes may be forwarded to, P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A visitation will be held Friday, December 14, 2018 from 10-11 am at Lord of Life Church, 40W605 IL-38, Elburn, IL 60119, with a service to follow at 11 am.

Private family internment at a later date.