ETHEL GUTHKE

Ethel Guthke, age 83, of Elburn, passed away at home, Saturday, November 4, 2023. Lifted up by the love and prayers of her family, she now rests eternally in the halls of Heaven.

She was born December 16, 1939, in Hamilton, OH, the daughter of Theodore and Nora Smith.

Ethel grew up in Hamilton, OH, and attended local schools.

Ethel was visiting her father, a soldier based in Aberdeen, MD, when she was met with a little bit of kismet. Alan “Guthy” Guthke, the only one in his army reserve unit to be sent to Aberdeen was smitten with Ethel, and it wasn’t long before a whirlwind courtship led to the altar. They were united in marriage on February 22, 1964 at the Lutheran church in Islip Terrace, NY, eventually settling in Patchogue, NY. Alan worked for the National Accelerator Laboratory in Yaphank, NY, before he transferred to Fermi Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia in 1969. They made their home and many memories in Aurora before moving a bit further west to the outskirts of Elburn and into their dream home in 1976. Later they would move into town, settling on Pierce St.

Ethel worked tirelessly to get her realty brokers license. After working for two different companies, she went out onto her own and established Guthke Realty in Aurora. The most rewarding times of her life were spent as mother, grandmother and later great-grandmother after putting aside her blazer and countless open houses. She jumped back into the working world and spent time in government testing. She was in charge of testing high school students and others to see if they had the aptitude for certain government jobs before she and Alan retired in 1998.

Ethel was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Geneva for many years and was involved in Bible study, vacation bible school and nursery. In earlier years, she would give rides to anyone who wanted to attend church, especially the older members, which found her a place in the hearts of many.  Ethel played the proud grandma to a “T” when she was able to have her grandchildren and great grandchildren in tow on Sunday mornings.

Ethel was involved in both the cub scouts and girl scouts and was a leader when her children were growing up. She got to travel in their retirement years alongside Alan to destinations like Hawaii, Europe, Iceland and Alaska, where unforgettable memories were made and later shared with relish. Road trips to Ohio   and annual trips to Mountain Home, AK and Ely, MN, made for great fishing, (even better stories) and relaxation to the highest levels. Ethel loved playing board and card games with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where she was as cutthroat as she was adorable, never letting the kids win and smiling just the same.  Her sister, Helen “Sis” Messelling, was her forever best friend. They spent a lifetime looking after one another, making sure that their deep and abiding relationship would want for nothing. Ethel was one of the kindest women you would ever be lucky enough to meet. Her smile made you want to do the same, and the hugs she gave were like blankets for your soul. She meant so much to so many, it’s impossible to calculate how many lives she made better by just being there, all of which will never be the same for her loss.

She now leaves her loving husband of almost 60 years, Alan Guthke; two children: Jerry (Terry Zimmerman) Guthke and Taria Dees; 7 grandchildren: Trevor (Amy) Guthke, Emily (Carl) Schnurstein, Michael Guthke, Melinda Guthke, Ryan (Stacey) Hessler, Ashley (Rosty) Lysenko, and Lindsey (Nic Jordan) Dieter; four bonus grandchildren, Justin (Shaunra Orr) Dees and Ben (Shante) Dees, Maddy and Chuck Zimmerman; 11 great-grandchildren: Anabelle, Harper, Leif, Leto, Remi, Gavin, Mason, Rosty, Preston, Lucas and Sean; many nieces, nephews and a family of friends.

She is reunited with her parents, Theodore and Nora Smith; one sister, Helen Messelling; one brother-in-law, Gary Rowe; two siblings in infancy, and one son-in-law, Kerry Dees who preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her life and faith at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will follow on Friday November 10, at 11 a.m. at Blackberry Twp. Cemetery, Elburn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.