Irene Emmerich
Irene Emmerich Obituary

Irene Ethel Emmerich, age 92, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2018.
 
Irene was born on January 27, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Irene M. and Charles A. Jeske. She had a twin brother Leroy and older brother Charles H. Jeske. She lived in Chicago her whole life and did not have any children.
 
Irene Emmerich attended Bell Grammar School and Lakeview High School in Chicago, Illinois where she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Emmerich when they were Hall Guards. For many years she worked as an office assistant for a jewelry company while living with her mother and grandparents in their home.
 
In 1943, Robert Emmerich was drafted for World War II and served in the Pacific Theater as an Aircraft Mechanic and received many citations and medals including a Bronze Star. Upon his discharge in 1946, he returned to Chicago and became the #1 pipefitter for Bellis Hanley Construction for the next 30 years. He was also an expert in plumbing and heating and a Union Member of United Association Local 597.
 
ROMANCE OF A LIFETIME!
 
When Robert returned from the war he was sitting in a bar, having a beer and saw Irene through the window on the street walking by. He had not seen her in the 4-years he had been at war. He ran out to the street and asked her if she would join him for a Coke. She said yes which launched a 70-year romance of a lifetime together!
 
September 5, 1953, Irene and Robert were married at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois and were married for 65 years! They honeymooned driving a new 1953 Plymouth from Chicago to San Francisco and returned taking Route 66.
 
Irene loved remodeling homes for family and friends which could extend to tearing down walls and adding bathrooms. In 1954, she remodeled the whole upstairs of her Grandmother’s home so that she and Robert could live in it while they were married and eventually they purchased the home.
 
In 1965, they moved into a newly built 2-story home in Edgebrook and decorated it with her favorite color blue and the latest home decorating trends with accents from many arts and crafts that she made. They transformed the downstairs basement into an entertainment area featuring a dance floor and eating area where they threw lavish parties featuring ballroom and square dancing.

Irene and Bob had a passion for Square Dancing which started at Horner Park in 1955. They went onto travel around the country with the Square Dance callers Singing Sam, Berl Main and Marshal Flippo. Irene was always known for her glamourous dresses and was the emcee for the annual fashion show.
 
Her passion for traveling took her and Robert to all 7 Continents and every state in the United States. They loved looking at all the wildlife and historical places including:
Taj Mahal
The Vatican
The Pyramids
African Safari
France / Normandy
Buckingham Palace
The Great Wall of China
Thailand / Ankor Watt Temple
Jerusalem / Stations of the Cross / Wailing Wall
 
Irene was very involved with Chicago friends and family members and never missed sending Birthday Card greetings to all. In Colorado, with the Charles and Denise Jeske family and their 5 nieces and nephews, Irene and Bob made regular visits for Thanksgiving, Christmas and many events their nieces and nephews were involved in.  
 
Throughout her life she had 5 pet bunny rabbits she loved dearly: Coco, Sweetie Boy, Sweet-ums, Tucker and Buixie. Her favorite actor was Jimmy Stewart and blue was her favorite color.
 
Irene was a lovely, interactive and vivacious person all her life and was a joy to everyone she met. She was loved deeply by her family and we will miss her greatly. She is survived by her husband Robert Emmerich, 94 years old,  and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
 
MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION

* WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018
Location: Memory Garden Cemetery
Service will be at the Chapel: 11:00 AM
Presiding: Deacon Jack Smith
Graveside service to follow at Mausoleum: 11:30 AM
Address: 2501 E. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004

Luncheon To Follow:
Location: L Woods Tap & Pine Lodge:
Time: 1:30 PM
Address: 7110 Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood, Illinois 60712
Phone: 847-677-3350

Family contact email: SJeske1128@aol.com
 
Robert F Emmerich, age 94, passed away at 10 am on Friday, September 13, 2019 in Lakeview, Chicago.

Robert was born on October 24, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Caroline and Nicholas Emmerich. He had a fun-loving sister Gladys whom he lovingly called “Happy Bottom”. He lived in Chicago his whole life and did not have any children. During the Depression, he helped put food on the table by selling newspapers for a penny and made 7 cents a week. Robert Emmerich attended Bell Grammar School and Lakeview High School in Chicago, Illinois where he met the love of his life, Irene Jeske when they were Hall Guards.

In 1943, Robert Emmerich was drafted in the US Army for World War II and served in the Pacific Theater as an Aircraft Mechanic and received many citations and medals including a Bronze Star. Upon his discharge in 1946, he returned to Chicago and became the #1 Pipe-fitter for Bellis Hanley Construction for the next 30 years. He was also an expert in plumbing and heating. Through his many wise investments and his love for the stock market he and Irene led a successful and comfortable life.

ROMANCE OF A LIFETIME!

When Robert returned from the war he was sitting in a bar, having a beer and saw Irene through the window on the street walking by. He had not seen her in the 4-years he had been at war. He ran out to the street and asked her if she would join him for a Coke. She said yes which launched a 70-year romance of a lifetime together!

September 5, 1953, Irene and Robert were married at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois and were married for 65 years! They honeymooned driving a new 1953 Plymouth from Chicago to San Francisco and returned taking Route 66.

In 1954, Robert and Irene remodeled the whole upstairs of her Grandmother’s home so they could live in it while they were married and eventually, they purchased the home. In 1965, they moved into a newly built 2-story home in Edgebrook and decorated it with his wife’s favorite color blue and the latest home decorating trends with accents from many arts and crafts that Irene made. They transformed the downstairs basement into an entertainment area featuring a dance floor and eating area where they threw lavish parties featuring ballroom and square dancing.

Irene and Bob had a passion for Square Dancing which started at Horner Park in 1955. They went onto travel around the country with the Square Dance callers Singing Sam, Berl Main and Marshal Flippo.

Their passion for traveling took Robert and Irene to all 7 Continents and every state in the United States. They loved looking at all the wildlife and historical places including:
Taj Mahal
The Vatican
The Pyramids
African Safari
France / Normandy
Buckingham Palace
The Great Wall of China
Thailand / Ankor Watt Temple
Jerusalem / Stations of the Cross / Wailing Wall

Irene and Robert were very involved with Chicago friends and family members and never missed sending Birthday Card greetings to all. In Colorado, with the Charles and Denise Jeske family and their 5 nieces and nephews, Irene and Bob made regular visits for Thanksgiving, Christmas and many events their nieces and nephews were involved in.

Robert was smart, interactive and charming man his whole life. He loved German food, steak and a good Manhattan. Robert was loved deeply by his family and we will miss him and Irene greatly.

Visitation Friday, September 27, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago. Funeral Saturday, September 28th, 10:30 AM from Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home to St. Mary of the Woods Church, 7033 N. Moselle Ave., Chicago for Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.  Entombment will follow at Memory Garden Cemetery, 2501 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights where Robert will receive military honors for his service to his country during World War II. For funeral information 773-736-3833 or visit Robert’s memorial at https://www.smithcorcoran.com/obituary/robert-f-emmerich/
 
The Toast (45th Anniversary)
 
Here’s to the couple from Skokie
What I am about to toast ain’t no jokie
 
From the land of Ditka, Jordan and champions so rare,
Not to mention the loafers known as “Da Bears”.
Comes the favorite pair on the Dowagiac block,
Even more unique than the “House on the Rock”.
With a refrigerator full of Burghoff beer,
And a basement decorated for Christmas all year!
 
Their knack for recycling is clear and evident,
Such as the bunches of stuff they make Christmas ornaments.
 
When we go to Chicago we have lots of fun,
Like the time we fed pizza to fish in Lake Michigan.
When they visit our state,
It could not be more great.
 
And the stuff that they bring – we are so grateful,
Like buckets of cookies that stack up plate after plateful,
And the stamps, and the books, and newspaper clippings,
Plus the cabinets and hinges, pipe wrench and pipe fittings.
 
Their energy is high, and they travel the world with ease,
But they have minor complications like losing their license, and keys.
Despite mechanical knees and multiple bunions,
Bob and Irene still square dance like son-of-a-gunyons.
 
So we stand up and holler with enthusiastic cheers,
And congratulate their marriage of 45 years.
You bring to our family immense happiness,
You are the Best, We love you, God Bless
 
The Toast (Golden 50th)
 
Five years have passed
Since the 45 year Anniversary Celebration,
And some things have changed
Leading to the 50th Golden Occasion.
 
The Chicago economy is flourishing
And with a healthy surplus,
Because of the money Bob and Irene spend
For Feet and Back doctors - without even a fus.
 
That City used to have decent Hockey and
Basketball with Jordan as the Master,
Now All of their professional sports teams
Are a disaster.
 
Bob and Irene seem a bit fitter
And look a bit younger,
I attribute it to drinking only lite beers
And eating un-spicy food when the hunger.
 
Their generosity has not slipped a bit
The Pop and the Cookies are still a big hit,
We think they should look into a big S.U.V.
Because on long trips the Buick gets packed beyond capacity.
 
We know they have slowed down
With all of their home entertainings,
Because their basement dance floor
Is covered with 50 years worth of things.
 
Irene said what makes you young is what’s inside
Their spunk and their spirit they surely can’t hide,
Their love for each other is clear and evident
With 50 years and still climbing – there’s no argument…
 
That the couple from Skokie
Have achieved what few others do,
You are our Hero’s
And a great example to live up to,
 
These are some of the reasons
We all love you.
 
Cheers
 
The Encore (5 years later)
 
An encore is in order because 5 more years have passed,
What has not changed is that Bob and Irene are still a blast.
They have enriched us with memories that continue to last.
 
Our heroes back then are our heroes today,
We applaud you once more – Ooh Auh – Hooray.
You’re loving nephew – Mike J.