Irene J. (Wloch, aka Wolsh) Molitor , 95, of Lena, formerly of Naperville, Illinois, passed away Sunday, July 28th at FHN Memorial Hospital as the day was drawing nigh.  Dearest, beloved wife of 58 years to her gentle, loving husband, Frank T. Molitor, until his passing in 2008. Irene and Frank married on October 1st, 1949, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville, Illinois.  Irene was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 16th, 1928 and was the daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Wloch and sister to the late Tillie Hromadka, Eleanor Greenough and Samuel Wloch.

She is survived by her children, Frank P. (Janean) Molitor of Kent, IL; Diane Kelly of Monroe, WI; Annette (Lawrence) Luchene of Wellesley, MA; Ted (Janet) Molitor of Stockton, IL; Michele (Mike) Miller of Harvard, IL; and her 24 grandchildren, Heather Terman, Nora Koehler, Rachel Marsiglio, Daniel Marsiglio, John Marsiglio, Frankie Molitor, Jason Molitor, April Hogeboom, Clint Molitor, Lance Molitor, Kristin Molitor, Tom Kelly, Shawn Kelly, Alyssa Kelly, Stephanie Luchene, Larry Luchene, Jessica Luchene, Jacob Molitor, Adam Molitor, Megan Molitor, Ryan Molitor, Kaylee Molitor, Cody Miller, Victoria Miller and 5 great grandchildren, Ari Terman, Sloane Terman, Hailey Koehler, Lydia Molitor, Ember Molitor. She was preceded in death by her son Larry Molitor (April 2, 1999) and her daughters Laura Marsiglio (March 11, 2008) and Peggy Molitor (September 21, 2017).

Irene graduated from Harrison High School, Chicago, Illinois in 1946.  After graduation, she worked at Illinois Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator.  Irene loved to dance and often took the streetcar with her girlfriends to Chicago's various ballrooms. Irene met her husband, Frank, at Pulaski Hall where he swept her off her feet and eventually took this "Chicago City Girl" out to the family farm on Knoch Knoll Road in Naperville, Illinois. Irene embraced the farm lifestyle with curiosity, enthusiasm, and excitement. Irene and Frank went on to be blessed with eight amazing children.

Irene was a remarkable storyteller who vividly brought to life her childhood memories of growing up in Chicago and her early years on the farm. Her life was guided by her religion, and she was passionate about sharing her love of faith with her family.

Some of Irene's favorite activities were family gatherings in the woods, lunch with her daughters at Geneva's Little Traveler, and trips to downtown Chicago, which always included shopping at Marshall Fields and eating at Berghoff's. Irene loved baking, cooking, gardening, canning, sewing, singing, dancing, and playing the piano by ear. But most of all, she loved her family.

Even when times were hard on the farm raising eight children, Irene would always make birthdays and holidays special.  One year she financed a $70 bike so she could fulfill a birthday wish for her oldest son.  She worked tirelessly, sometimes into the late hours of the night, to ready her home for hosting holidays. Fond memories of polish sausage and hot cross buns on Easter morning, her famous dressing on Thanksgiving, and her delectable coffee cake and enormous buffet of cookies on Christmas. While food was a central part of every gathering, it was Irene's warmth and love that truly made each occasion special.

Irene was passionate about her children experiencing all that life had to offer, and she was dedicated to sharing her many talents with them. She believed it was important for each of her eight children to appreciate the value of farm life while also being exposed to city culture, education, sports, music, and dance. Irene encouraged her children to always do their best in everything they pursued. Her greatest wish was to provide her children with the best life possible.

We know that Frank will be waiting for Irene at the gates of heaven, grinning, holding a pink rose – the first bloom from his mother's rose bush, continuing his cherished tradition expressing his unwavering love for her.

Visitation will be held at the Hermann Funeral Home, 249 North Park Street, Stockton, IL on August 4th, 2024 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.  Funeral services will be held on August 5th at 10 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 223 East Front Avenue, Stockton, IL.   Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Stockton.