LENI HANCOCK

Leni Hancock, 85, of Elburn, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, August 8, 2024. She was born on February 26, 1939 in Aarhus, Denmark to parents, Karl and Annie Kirkemann (nee Sorensen).

Leni grew up in Aarhus, Denmark and attended local schools, graduating from the local high school class of 1956. In 1958, Leni packed her bags, and joined her mother and sister in America, landing in Detroit, Michigan.  In 1959, while working at J.L. Hudson, Leni met and fell in love with her co-worker, Edwin Hancock.  They married August 29, 1960 in Berkley, Michigan.

Leni attended Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan, where she graduated with her nursing degree in 1980. She was a bright student, graduating second in her class, which was quite a feat considering she had 6 children at home to take care of while attending classes.

She loved being a mother and spent many of her children’s younger years being a stay-at-home mom, looking after her six children, but after receiving her nursing degree, she took a job at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan.  She also, spent many years working at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Leni was incredibly proud of her nursing career, and continued to work part-time into her 70’s.  After around 35 years of nursing, she retired in 2015.

Leni and her husband Edwin were long-time members of Redford Presbyterian Church in Redford, Michigan.  After moving to Elburn, IL to live with her daughter, Stephanie, Leni attended Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL.

Leni and Edwin loved to travel.  In 2003, they packed up their house in Tellico Village, Tennesee and moved into an RV.  They traveled all over the United States and Canada for a year, taking in the sights and making amazing memories along the way.  After their year of traveling, they settled in Whitsett, North Carolina, where they bought a home and put down roots until Edwin passed in 2015, and Leni moved to Elburn to live with her daughter Stephanie.

Leni loved to sew and was adept at quilting. She gifted many of her family members quilts and various items she dreamed up with her sewing machine. She even sewed clothes for her children while they were growing up.  One of her favorite places to be was on the golf course.  For years, her and Edwin golfed together all over the country. She loved crossword puzzles and reading spy books and she never missed Wheel of Fortune.  She could always solve the puzzles before the contestants. Leni was a kindhearted, intelligent, strong, creative, stoic, and compassionate woman, mother, wife, and friend.  Her vivacious spirit will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Leni leaves behind her children: Stephanie (Mike) Veague, Craig (Louba) Hancock, Jeff (Joe) Hancock, Christian (Sandra) Hancock, and Derek Hancock; her grandchildren: Tyler (Alex) Youngquest, Joshua (Alyssa) Veague, Jacob (Daniella) Veague, Alex Veague, Chance Youngquest, Samuel Veague, Chloe Youngquest, Shannon Hancock, Leo Hancock, Adair Hancock, and Callie Hancock; her great grandchildren: Kira Veague and Gabriel Veague, her son-in-law Brian Youngquest; her dear, best friend and canine companion, Zuki, and a whole family of friends.

She is reunited with her parents, Karl and Annie Kirkemann; her husband of 55 years, Edwin Hancock; and her daughter Kim Youngquest.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation via the following the link https://jdrf.ca/  or to the Town and Country Public Library District Outreach Program which was close to Leni’s heart. Checks may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.