Eleanor M. Schroeder

Eleanor M. Schroeder 103, (nee Pykosz, Hagensee), passed away peacefully at Thrive of Lake County in Mundelein on May 15th, 2023.  Eleanor was fortunate to have lived a long, healthy active life.

Eleanor was born on February 20, 1920 to Martha and Barney Hagensee in Chicago Illinois.  Her beloved brother, Theodore (Ted), was born three years later.  Eleanor and Ted were always very close as siblings and friends throughout their lives until Ted passed.  Eleanor was close to Jean, Ted’s wife, and enjoyed her nieces and nephews, Sue, Tom, Mike and Kathy tremendously.  She loved getting together at family gatherings including all her grand nieces, nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.  Some of her favorite events were the annual Christmas Eve celebrations with Ted, Jean and family, sometimes including cousin Dan, Joanne, their four sons and Aunt Helen, Martha’s sister.

Eleanor graduated from high school in 1937 and went to work in downtown Chicago as a secretary for an engineering firm.  She had many friends in Chicago and was a part of a group of young ladies that socialized together and went away for “girl’s weekends” to Lake Geneva.

Eleanor married Joseph (Joe) Pykosz in May 1946 after Joe returned from serving in the US Army during WW2.  They welcomed their daughter Mary in December 1953.  Eleanor, Joe (and Mary) lived happily for many years in the new house they purchased in Jefferson Park on the Northwest side of Chicago.  They hosted and attended many family gatherings and enjoyed annual family vacations, driving trips to visit national parks or spending summer vacations in Northern Wisconsin renting rustic cabins on lake St Germaine until Joe passed away in January 1972.  Eleanor and Joe loved to go out to dinner and often went out square dancing.  Martha also lived in the Chicago house in an upstairs apartment until she passed away in 1970.  Barney preceded Martha in death in 1957.  Eleanor went back to work full time in 1964 working at Aetna Insurance Company as a typist until she retired in 1976.

Eleanor married Albert (Al) Schroeder, a friend and neighbor, in September 1976.  Eleanor and Al moved from Chicago to Mundelein in 1977.    Both retired, Eleanor and Al enjoyed their house in Mundelein, keeping active working in their large yard.  Sadly, Al passed away in 1988.

Mary and her husband Dale Tompkins also moved to Mundelein a few years after Eleanor and Al.  Eleanor welcomed her granddaughter, Kathleen (Katie) in March 1989.  Eleanor spent many days helping to watch Katie and eventually living for some time with Mary, Dale and Katie after Al’s passing.

Eleanor moved to an apartment in downtown Libertyville in 2002.  She made many friends in her apartment complex and sometimes joked it was like living in a sorority. She and her good friend, Ruth, went out together almost every day.  Eleanor also enjoyed visiting her lifelong friend Lucille, spending weekends together visiting.  She enjoyed her very active lifestyle until she was 99 years old.  Eleanor then moved to assisted living at Victory Center in Vernon Hills in 2019.  Somewhat limited by failing eyesight and memory loss Eleanor still enjoyed her days at Victory Center.  

In July 2022 Eleanor moved to Thrive of Lake County as her memory loss increased where she made her peaceful transition on May 15.

Visitation for Eleanor will be June 24, 2023 at St Mary’s of Vernon Catholic Church 236 US-45 Indian Creek, IL from 9:30 – 10:30 am until mass begins.