Elinor Marguerite Richoz Obituary (1924

Elinor Marguerite Richoz, age 95, a lifelong resident of Elgin, passed away at The Vines Senior Homes on May 5, 2020. Elinor was born in Elgin on November 4, 1924 to her loving parents, Vernon R. and Gertrude Radde (Wendt). Elinor attended Columbia School (K-5), St. John's Lutheran School (6-8) and graduated from Elgin High School, Class of 1942. She married the love of her life, Arthur "Purple Heart Art" E. Richoz on December 19, 1942, and they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage together. Elinor was known as "The First Lady of Elgin,"due to her caring heart and dedication to her community. She was active in many community organizations:Elgin Women's Club, Elgin Senior Services, Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Blackhawk Neighborhood Association, and St. John's Ladies Aid. Elinor was a member of the Elgin Veteran's Memorial Park Phase II Committee, where she helped lead fundraising efforts and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. She frequently attended Police Chief community meetings and Elgin City Council meetings. Elinor served on the Elgin Police Citizens Advisory Committee, and in July 2019, Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley and fellow committee members presented her with a plaque in recognition of her time and dedication. Elinor was awarded the Elgin Image Award on March 19, 2015 in recognition of her contributions to her hometown. Elinor was a talented seamstress who worked at Elgin Garment Factory and taught sewing at St. John's Lutheran School and for Singers in downtown Elgin. She enjoyed sewing garments for herself and her family, including many of her husband's suits, doll clothes for her grandchildren, and her daughter's wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Elinor had a wonderful love for her family, friends, and especially her great-grandchildren. She had a warm, outgoing personality, and wherever she went out, she would go out of her way to greet and chat with everyone she knew. In her free time, Elinor enjoyed flowers and gardening, a love instilled from her parents' greenhouse, where she enjoyed caring for flowers and making beautiful arrangements. Elinor was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Richoz; and siblings Verna Savely, Floyd Radde, Lois Radde, and Marjorie Radde. Elinor is survived by her children, Arthur V. "Arch" (Joan) Richoz; Pamela (Ken) Groth; sister Nancy Gutierrez; sister-in-law Phyllis Radde; grandchildren Kim (Dan) Wiemer, Suzon (Jim) Kowalski, Jason (Jessica) Groth, and Kristin (Chris) Lukasik; great-grandchildren Emrik and Ethan Groth, and Austin and Aubrey Lukasik; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. Friday July 31, 2020 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park St., Elgin IL 60120. To access the visitation and service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom.us (Meeting ID: 997 1256 0813, Passcode: 897485). Visitation will continue 10:00a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2020 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin, Rev. Clifford "Hannibal" Frederich officiating. Interment to follow at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120. Mourners are encouraged to review the funeral home COVID-19 public health policies ahead of time. Face masks are required to enter the facility. In the time before the public service, loved ones are invited to submit their written condolences and memories for Elinor's family via the Symonds-Madison Caring Hearts Program until July 30, 2020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin IL 60120 or The Vines Senior Homes, 971 Bode Rd., Elgin IL 60120. Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park St., Elgin IL 60120. For more information call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.