Jennie E. Elbers

1928 - 2025

Jennie E. Elbers

June 16, 1928 - July 16, 2025

Jennie E. Elbers passed away peacefully at home on July 16, 2025. Jennie was born in Chicago on June 16, 1928, to Lula (Bobis) and Spero Govostis and attended Hyde Park High School as well as an institute at University of Chicago.

She married James Kappas in 1948 and had one daughter.

She was a manager and later an owner of her own slenderizing salon afterwords, she managed a clothing store in downtown Chicago. In the 70s her managing and directing talents turned to restaurants and banquet halls.

She married for a second time in 1974, to the love of her life Walter Elbers. Together they successfully launched new computer programs for the restaurant industry.

Jennie loved being with people. She was warm, welcoming, and charmed all who knew her. Because of this, many come to know and love her as "Mama Jennie". She hosted several international students in the 2000's and 2010's, some from as far away as Brazil, Japan, and Turkmenistan. A few returned to visit her many times because they had grown to love their "Mama". Her same loving nature spilled over to other foreign students as they all were attracted to her warmth, her patience, and her love. They became family by love if not by blood. To these she will always be "Mama Jennie" and "Nona" or Grandma.

She was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church where she was known as the "Christmas Lady" because of her love for decorating and making things look new and beautiful - especially at Christmas, her favorite time of the year.

She was a member of the greatest generation – living through WWII and as such was fiercely proud to be an American. She was equally proud of her Greek-Spartan heritage. She loved traveling, 40's music, swing dancing, rock and roll and her Greek culture.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie Kappas and many nephews and their families as well as Guljahan (Koo), Amako, Yuki, and her families united in love: the de la Vaga family: Miguel, Imee and children, Edgar, Paulina (Joe), and Isabel, and the Sessenou family: Koffi "Sessy", Abby and children Ida, Dane, and Frances, all of whom remain to honor her memory.

Funeral services are 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 19, 2025, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, July 18, 2025, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, where a Trisagion service will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Burial and a Trisagion service will be at 12:00 P.M on Monday, July 21, 2025, in Elmwood Cemetery, 2905 Thatcher Ave, River Grove, IL 60171.

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory

3030 7th Ave

Rock Island, IL

309-786-5421