Arlene A. Praschan

Arlene A. Praschan (nee Adreani), age 83, a resident of Plainfield, IL since 2020, formerly of Morris County, NJ, Dublin, OH, Troy, MI and Las Vegas, NV, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Meadowbrook Manor of Naperville, IL. She was born on January 17, 1942, in Chicago, IL.
Beloved wife of Philip C. Praschan, whom she married on November 30, 1963, at Calvary Tabernacle in Chicago where they met earlier that year at a Valentine's Day dinner.
She was a loving mother of Laurel (Ken) Larson of Wheaton, IL and Craig (Christa) Praschan of Warren, MI, adored grandmother of Monica Larson, Jonathan (Taddie) Larson, Joanna Larson and Natalie Larson; Nathan (Elle Pope) Praschan, Matthew Praschan and Sarah (Patrick) Shears, cherished great-grandmother of Liam Praschan and Patrick Joseph "PJ" Shears, Jr., devoted daughter of the late Arthur and Amelia (nee Riccio) Adreani, dear sister of Jean (the late Robert) Piemonte of Westmont, IL, sister-in-law of Eugene (Donna) Praschan, Corinne (Paul) Davidson, the late Duane (the late Helen) Praschan and the late Neil (Beverly) Praschan, cousin of many, including Carol (the late Don) Zelinski, fond aunt, great-aunt, great-great aunt, and friend to many.
Arlene loved Jesus. She grew up in an Italian Pentecostal church on the near west side of Chicago, where her grandfather pastored. She was committed to reading her Bible and praying, attending church, Bible studies, hosting fellowship dinners for their Sunday school class.
Life with Phil was never boring. They moved from Chicago to Troy (MI) to Naperville (IL) to Las Vegas to Houston to Boonton (NJ) to Dublin (OH) back to Las Vegas, back to Michigan, to Ocala (FL) and most recently to Plainfield (IL). With each move they met new people to love, churches to worship in, and favorite restaurants to frequent. In addition to the areas near each new location, they traveled to Hawaii three times, Guam, London, Macau, and Alaska.
Arlene "loved" her children and "really loved" her grandchildren! Arlene also loved Christmas, small dogs, and shopping. Arlene did not love heat, bugs, traveling or moving, but she loved Phil so much that she endured each of these.
Arlene was intelligent, funny, talented, and creative. She always had a list going and could organize many people and things. She didn't go to college but was committed to a college education for her children and spent hours each move searching for the best schools and doctors. She taught her grandchildren how to burp the alphabet (thankfully, some skills skip a generation) and spent hours in card stores with her daughter and daughter-in-law sharing belly laughs reading "silly" cards. Arlene was a perfectionist which was reflected in the way she cared for her home and loved ones, from beautiful penmanship to perfect bows to carefully crafted meals and desserts. She designed greeting cards, created lovely silk flower arrangements, loved decorating for Christmas and buying Christmas gifts.
In later life, a visit to their home in Las Vegas included bins of toys, each reflecting the perfect age and interest of each grandchild. She made sure each visit included food favorites, games, and special outings designed for each child, along with "Little Love" cakes and special mugs and plates for the kids.
Arlene was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2013. For over 12 years Phil faithfully cared for Arlene, which allowed her to thrive even under the most challenging circumstances. "She cared for me our whole marriage, it's now my time to care for her." Phil beautifully lived out Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
A celebration of Arlene's life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3:00 PM with a visitation beginning at 2:30 PM at The Compass Church - South Naperville Campus, 2903 103rd St., Naperville, IL 60564, (630) 983-3233.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Arlene's memory may be made to: Gentiva Foundation, https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GentivaFoundation/GHS.html
Checks can be made out to The Gentiva Foundation and mailed to:
Gentiva HOSPICE
800 Enterprise Drive #111
Oakbrook IL 60523
Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, IL.
For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com