STEFFEN BERNDT
Steffen Berndt died peacefully in his home on May 2, 2022. His family and friends will remember his gentle, easy going nature and ironic humor. He leaves empty booths at Alfie’s, Hi-View Diner, and other local eateries, where he praised the food and doted on the servers. He is predeceased by his wife Christa and survived by two sons, Carsten (Jenny) and Mark (Lynn).
Steffen was born in Berlin, Germany, on January 16, 1938. He eventually moved to Bielefeld, where he began selling cash registers for Anker Corporation. At Anker, he met and in due course married Christa Koenig, with whom he shared his life. In 1969, Anker moved the Berndts to Lombard, and they chose to live there permanently. After some time, Steffen joined Merchants’ Cash Register as a salesman, and the Berndts became U.S. citizens.
Throughout his life, Steffen was an athlete. As a young man, he fenced competitively in Europe, winning several major tournaments, and in later years, he was an active member of Courts Plus Fitness Club, where he played tennis several times a week for over a decade.
The family will hold a memorial event in early July. For information, please contact Jenny Hart-Berndt: [email protected].
MARTHA DUMYCZ
Martha Dumycz, née Legate, of Villa Park, passed away recently at the age of 75. Beloved wife of the late Michael and companion of Rich Hamlin; loving mother of Matt (Lori) Dumycz; devoted grandmother of Aiden; fond sister of Norma (Stephen) Whitlock, Maurice Legate, Jr., the late Nancy Legate, and the late Mark Legate; sister-in-law of Cathy (Ron) Fugate and Rose (Tim) Brindisi; aunt of many nieces and nephews. Member of the Villa Park Lions Club and the Elks Club Auxiliary. Visitation was held Wednesday, June 8 from 4-8 p.m. at Steuerle Chapel, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. Funeral was held Thursday, June 9, at 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Fairview Memorial Park. Donations to the Villa Park Lions Club are appreciated. Info: 630-832-4161 or steuerlefh.com.
JAMES LADD
James Ladd, age 87, of Lombard, passed away on June 12, 2022, at home.
A Memorial service is pending.
Arrangements by Brust Funeral Home; info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
NANCY MINSER
Nancy Minser, née Hirchert, age 79, of Lombard, died on June 11, 2022, at Alexian Brothers Hospital.
Nancy was the loving mother of Holly (Ron) Pecora of Lombard, Dawn (Steve) Smith of Bloomingdale, and Jennifer (Steve) Kownacki of Bartlett; fond grandmother of Brad Pecora of Wisconsin, Alex Pecora of Carol Stream, Alicia (Bobby) McGhee of Carol Stream, Owen (Melinda) Kownacki of South Carolina, twins Austin and Evan Kownacki of Bartlett, and Kyle Smith of Iowa; great-grandmother of Rileigh Pecora, Jackson Pecora, Lucas McGhee, and Finley McGhee, all of Carol Stream. She was the beloved daughter of Frances Hirchert née Young of Wisconsin and the late Edward C. Hirchert, Sr; dear sister of Bill (Rose) Hirchert of Colorado, Connie (Bill) Stadelmann of Iowa, Eddie (Wanda) Hirchert of Illinois, MaryLou (Jim) Wydeen of Wisconsin, and Dan (Lisa) Hirchert of Wisconsin; sister-in-law of Tom (Maryanne) Minser of Downers Grove. She was special friend to Chuck Baumann of Florida, and will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, the late John “Jack” Minser, Jr.
Nancy had been a Lombard resident for 58 years, where she was a member of St. Pius X Church. She had retired from Havi Global Company where she worked as a Transportation Manager and Supply Chain Specialist working closely with McDonald’s.
She enjoyed traveling, gardening, and puzzles. She was a Zumba Girl with the York Township Senior Group.
Prayers will be held on Thursday, June 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison Street, Lombard. Private Interment will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 10393, Chicago IL 60610; Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 West Bryn Mawr – Suite 800, Chicago IL 60631; or your favorite charity organization, are appreciated.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
JOHN P. NIELSEN
John P. Nielsen, WWII Navy Veteran, age 95, of Lombard, Illinois. Beloved husband of Mary Anne Nielsen, née Plunkett, and the late Cloyd, née Lunde; loving father of Diane (Carl) Schroeder, Paul (Beth) Nielsen, and Sharon (the late Richard) Andresen; devoted grandfather of Kari (Fred) Nimon, Jon (Simona) Nielsen, Ryan (Liz) Nielsen, Michael (Katie) Schroeder, Liz Schroeder, Paul (Jenell) Schroeder, and Rebekah (Ralph) DiVenere; great-grandfather of Richie, Joseph, Nadia, Jordan, Penny, Jillian, Molly, Beau, Max, Greyson, Madelyn, Ralph, Micala, and Giovanna; fond brother of the late Fred (Eileen) Nielsen; uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Service was Saturday, June 11, at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Interment Elmwood Cemetery.
Memorials to The National WWII Museum, www.nationalww2museum.org; or Honor Flight Network, honorflight.org are appreciated. Funeral info: www.knollcrest.net or 630-932-1500.
CHRISTINE RUDNICK
Christine Rudnick, née Fierce, age 57, of Lombard. Beloved wife of Jack Rudnick; loving mother of John Rudnick, Michael Rudnick; dear daughter of the late Bonny Fierce, and the late Billy Fierce; fond sister of Joseph (Cathy) Fierce, Debbie (Chuck) Bennett and Mary (Kevin) Rich; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Monday, June 6, from Steuerle Chapel, 350 S. Ardmore, Villa Park, to Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 330 E. Fullerton Ave., Addison, Illinois 60101. Interment private. Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or 630-932-1500 or 630-832-4161.
BARBARA F. SCHROEDER
Barbara F. Schroeder, age 45, of Lombard, passed away suddenly on June 7, 2022.
Barbara was the daughter of Donald and Virginia, née Vincenzo, of Lombard; dear sister of Nicole Schroeder of Lombard; adored aunt of Van and Rex Wiegel of Lombard; niece of Richard (Cheryl) Schroeder of Lombard, Greg Schroeder of Lombard, Michael (Sharon) Vincenzo of Palatine, Nick (Kim) Vincenzo of Florida, Lisa Vincenzo of Wheeling, Barb Vincenzo of Lombard and Chris (Lori) Vincenzo of Texas; and cousin of many.
Barbara was an amazing cook and baker; she loved to make big family dinners. Barbara was artistic.
Barbara was a lifelong resident of Lombard. She attended St. Pius X grade school and Montini Catholic High School and graduated from Willowbrook High School. Barbara worked at 7-11 in Lombard; she had formerly worked at the family business, Schroeder’s Ace Hardware, in Lombard.
A Funeral Service was held Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard. Interment followed at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorials to One For the Kids, P.O. Box 636, Lombard, IL 60148, would be appreciated.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
LOIS STEIN
Lois Elaine Stein, née Forlow, age 85, of Lombard, passed away on June 9, 2022.
Lying-In-State was held on Monday, June 13, followed by a Funeral Service at St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 547 N. Main St., Lombard IL. Interment at Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
