MANUELA ALICIA DEZUTEL

Manuela “Nellie” DeZutel, 78, of Sycamore, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. She was born on April 12, 1946, in Clint, Texas to parents, Florentino and Cruz Rodriquez (nee Ontiveros).

Nellie was raised in Silver City, New Mexico and attended local schools, graduating from Silver High School, class of 1965.

After graduating from high school, she joined the United States Army.  She was stationed starting in Los Angeles, California and eventually transferred to Fort Sheridan in Illinois where she finished out her time in the Army working in the information office as an information specialist. In 1968, while actively serving in the United States Army, Nellie met her future husband, Ed DeZutel, a fellow soldier in the Army.  Nellie was smitten with Ed after going for a ride in his 1968 Chevelle Super Sport. After a whirlwind romance, they married on July 13, 1968 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Shortly after marrying, they welcomed their first child, Christina. Their first son, Eddie followed in close succession, followed by Clint 5 years later.

In the mid 70’s, as her children were growing up, Nellie decided to start her secondary education journey.  She started off at Elgin Community College where she received her associates degree after two years.  She then attended and graduated from Northern Illinois University with her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and Spanish language and literature in the mid 1980’s.  Nellie loved learning and valued education so while working as a teacher at St. Charles East High School in the late 80’s she went back to NIU, earning her master’s degree in education in 1991.

Nellie was an accomplished and dedicated educator at St. Charles East High School for over 30 years.  She made many lifelong friends with some of her fellow educators.  After many years, expanding and nurturing the minds of St. Charles’ youth, she retired in 2011.  Even after retiring, the teacher’s that Nellie worked with for decades, stayed in touch and still met up for lunch and dinner dates, up until her passing.

Throughout her life, Nellie made her physical fitness a priority.  She was voted most athletic in her high school and enjoyed playing a variety of sports including: tennis, basketball, and volleyball.  She was constantly moving and prided herself on staying fit.  Nellie had fond memories of going up to the family cabin in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, where she would enjoy boating and swimming in the lake.  She had a soft spot for all animals and was a nurturer by nature.  She adored her grandchildren and thoroughly spoiled them any chance she could get.  She was pleased just to be able to spend time with her grandchildren, whether it was at the McDonald’s Playhouse, taking them to the local museum in Sycamore, getting ice cream, or swimming at the YMCA.  Nellie loved living in Sycamore and took full advantage of the many shops and restaurants in the area.  She spent many summer days walking the sidewalks of downtown Sycamore.  Nellie was dedicated to her family and fought hard when the deck was stacked against her.  She fought cancer courageously in order to have as much time as possible to stay here with the people she loved most.  She was a light in the life of everyone who knew her.  Her outgoing spirit and tender compassionate nature will be her legacy.  She will be missed endlessly by her caring family and friends.

Nellie leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Ed DeZutel; her children: Christina Marian, Eddie (Leanne) DeZutel, and Clint DeZutel; her grandchildren: Nathan Marian and Mia DeZutel; her siblings: Lorenzo Ontiveros, Sophia Lonergan, Elizabeth Lewis, and Francisco Granado, many nieces and nephews, and a whole family of friends.

She is reunited with her parents, Florentino and Cruz Rodriguez, and her brother, Florentino Rodriguez.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 12:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. at Conley Funeral Home at 116 W. Pierce Street, Elburn, IL 60119.  A funeral service to celebrate her faith will be held immediately following the visitation at 3:00p.m. also at Conley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the ASPCA via the following link https://secure.aspca.org/donate/donate. Tributes may be forwarded to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.