Muriel Nerad

Muriel Nerad (nee Cooney)
Died: February 26, 2024
Muriel Nerad (nee Cooney) age 97, late of Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL, entered into eternal peace on Monday, February 26th, 2024.
Cherished wife of her beloved late Otto Nerad, loving stepmother to Jack R. (Sandi) Nerad and Eric Nerad. Loving step grandmother to Madeleine, Emma, Greta and Aaron. Daughter of the late John and Pauline (nee Squires) Cooney. Muriel was born in Clinton, Iowa on November 19th, 1926.
Muriel grew up in the Deer Grove, IL area, graduated from Newman Central Catholic H.S., Sterling, IL in 1944, and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After college Muriel lived in the Chicago area. She worked at DePaul University for 11 years and as a teacher in the LaGrange School system for many years. Muriel enjoyed being a docent for many years at the Oriental Museum (Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures), University of Chicago.
Muriel supported the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and enjoyed attending their concerts. She often visited the Art Institute of Chicago with her friends from Plymouth Place.
She loved to travel and visited every continent except Antarctica. After living in Chicago, Muriel saw enough snow. She was also an avid gardener.
Muriel and Otto were married for 30 years. During that time they thoroughly enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends.
She traveled to her farm in Deer Grove, IL, regularly and had two fine tenants who became treasured friends, Arnold McCauley and J.C. Henrekin. She leaves behind many cousins and friends in the U.S. and Ireland.
Muriel was a living example of the saying "The girl may leave the farm, however, the farm doesn't leave the girl."
Words used to describe Muriel are: extremely intelligent, kind, generous, healthy, practical, frugal, and many other positive traits.
The family wishes to thank Angels Grace Hospice and the nursing staff at Plymouth Place for taking good care of Muriel and keeping her comfortable during the last months of her life.
Visitation Thursday March 7th, from 3-8 PM at Hallowell & James Funeral home, 1025 W 55th Street, Countryside, IL. 60525. Funeral Friday March 8th with Visitation from 8:45 AM to 9:15 departing funeral home at 9:45 AM for Mass at 10:00 AM, St. Francis Xavier Church of La Grange, IL 124 N Spring Ave., 60525. Saturday March 9th interment at St. Mary Cemetery at 11:00 AM, 105 N. Benton St., Tampico, IL. 61283
In lieu of flowers, donations to Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care Illinois Would be appreciated. 440 Quadrangle Drive, – Suite G, Bolingbrook, IL 60440, https://www.angelsgracehospice.com. Funeral information: 708-352-6500 or hjfunerals.com