Rose Czech Radek

Rose Radek, nee Czech, a resident at King Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge, passed peacefully away on her wedding anniversary, September 1, 2011. Rose was the beloved wife of the late John R. Radek Sr., co-founder of Ready Metal Mfg. Co. in Chicago; loving mother of Diane (Bernie) Cicora, Bernadette (Harvey) Arnott, and John "Rick" (Artika) Radek; proud grandmother of Sheryl (Rey) Zedler, Kristin (Tom) Lorenz, Melissa Cicora, Lorelie (John) Parolin, Jennifer (Jeff) Yerks, Taylor McDaniel, Morgan Radek, John Arnott, Whitney Radek, Daniel Radek, and the late Allison Radek; great-grandmother "GG" of Tyler, Tanner, and Mardi Lorenz, Alexandra, Erik, and Reed Zedler, Vaughn and Dane Parolin, and Amelia Yerks; dear sister of Stephanie (the late Edward) Radek, Francis "Fran" (the late Alex) Kaminecki, Margaret "Marge" (the late Ted) Flowers, the late John (the late Helen) Czech, the late Peter (Arlene) Czech, the late Edward Czech, and the late Mildred "Millie" (the late Bernard) Klein; and fond aunt of many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2011, 9 a.m. prayers from Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home,, 17W201 Roosevelt Road (1 blk West of Rt. 83), Oakbrook Terrace, to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church Mass 10 a.m. Interment Bronswood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, 3 to 9 p.m. Rose was a longtime resident of Hinsdale, an active parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, and a 57 year member of the Butterfield Country Club. Rose spent a full life loving, caring, and touching the lives of many. Rose's spirit and wonderful memories will continue to be with her family and friends; "For you all carry her heart, you carry her in your hearts". Donations may be given to The Ronald McDonald House, near Loyola, Tripp Ave. at Air Mail Rd., P.O. Box 7002, Hines, IL. 60141. For funeral information., 630-941-5860 or to celebrate Rose's life at www.chapelhillgardenswest.com.

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Rose Czech

was born on July 17, 1918 at home on Lockwood Avenue in Chicago. She was the first daughter born to her family of three boys, John, Ed, and Pete. Two years later her sister Stephanie was born. When Rose was 7 years old her father died and her mother Katherine was widowed with 5 children. She married again to Frank Kornia and a new family was established. They had 3 more daughters, Fran, Marge, and Millie which completed the family.

Frank was the only father that Rose remembered. He owned a small neighborhood grocery store and the kids all helped out. He was a very loving father and a generous man. He helped many families survive the depression by giving them food. He was a fine example to her and she had that loving, giving spirit all her life.

She and her sister Stephanie had many suitors. They did everything together and were known as the “gold dust twins”. Stephanie had met her Edward and introduced her sister to his brother John and love blossomed between them. Rose married John Radek at St. Camillus Church in Chicago on September 1, 1940. She was completely committed to John and the traditional ideals of marriage. It was as if Rose naturally sensed her spouse’s needs and accepted those feeling unconditionally. Then came the excitement of welcoming their first child, Diane into the world. During WWII, John was away and Rose worked in the factories making airplane and gun parts for our men at war. She became our very own “Rosie the Riveter”. After the war, they worked hard and the two brothers started a small manufacturing company behind their parents’ home. John and Rose were a team and the business started to succeed. After a long day Rose never objected to pitching in to help their vision of the “American Dream” which became a reality. Through the years there were more and more risky propositions which they always took on with both feet in the water and all eyes open wide. Work was never a four letter word and was always seen as an opportunity. Then along came Bernadette, a joyful addition to the family. Ready Metal Mfg. Co. was growing fast. The two couples bought a two flat in Chicago and Rose and John lived on the second floor. There were many happy years in that house and soon they had John Richard Jr. known as Ricky. The family was complete.

In 1956, they all moved to Hinsdale on North Street, building two identical houses next to each other. The business prospered and they started to travel and enjoy the finer things in life.

Rose was John’s touchstone, his reality check and he respected her and deferred to her intelligence. He depended on her to entertain at home, sometimes for last minute dinner parties and she would do it because he asked. She amazed many friends and business associates with her cooking skills. Rose was a quiet woman to most of the world, but at home she was the supreme ruler. John was busy building the business, so she was the one who helped with homework, disciplined and expected the kids to respect her. And they did. She would be helping with homework and making dinner never knowing when the phone call would come for her to join John for dinner with their clients and spouses. She was loving and kind to all their friends so their house was a popular place for friends to gather and John always backed her up all the way.

In 1975, the two Radek families purchased half of their favorite summer vacation spot, Phil’s, on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk, WI. They remodeled, added beaches and created a new family destination, Radekville. The house was built for entertaining right down to the jukebox. Rose and her sister would work all day cooking and preparing for the evening while their guests enjoyed the lake and beach. The ladies made it look effortless.

Golf also played a big part in Rose’s life. She and John joined Butterfield Country Club in 1954 and made many friends there. Later, as they began to winter in warmth, they fell in love with Palm Desert, Ca and bought a townhouse with Stephanie and Ed and joined Avondale Country Club. When Rose had to give up golf she organized a women’s putting league so the ladies would continue their get togethers. Life was very good and they took on a new adventure to build their own custom home. They enjoyed it immensely. It was beautiful and inviting and they hosted many friends and family who flocked to vacation with them. Even after John became ill and passed away, Rose continued to open up her home to those she loved.

Among all the wonderful years in her life, one of Rose’s greatest joys was her grandchildren whom she spoiled to no end. They all adored her. She would do small things for them that they found delightful. Her purse was called the ‘magic purse” because it always produced a surprise. Sometimes candy or crazy pens and pencils or little toys. They couldn’t take their eyes off of it. She loved to give dolls to the girls because she never had a doll as a child. She had 11 grandchildren, Sheryl, Kristin, Melissa, Lorelie, Jennifer, Taylor, Morgan, John, Whitney, Dan, and Allison. Allison, the youngest, was a special gift; born with a heart defect, Rose felt a special bond immediately. Sadly she passed away at only one year old. She grieved for her till the end of her life.

Through the years Rose became a great cook. Her famous Polish soups, her chicken noodle which she never ate, and of course her one of a kind cheesecake just to name a few. Between her busy schedule and travel, Rose took up some enjoyable hobbies. She began needle pointing. He stitches were as precise as a machine and she made many beautiful keepsake pieces. Then she took up puzzles even framing some of them. She spent many evenings playing gin rummy and later rummy cube. Her friends nicknamed her “the Barracuda”. She enjoyed day trips to the casino and vacations to Las Vegas. Rose loved the slots but rarely revealed her win/loss to anyone. In 1973, Rose suffered a heart attack while vacationing in Las Vegas. John stayed with her while they kept her in the hospital for three weeks to recover. The Tropicana where he stayed did not charge John for his stay. After she returned home she underwent a new procedure at St Lukes Hospital in Chicago becoming one of the first open heart surgery patients ever. Fearing for her health, John always thought he would lose her too soon.

After her Johnny’s death, the family rallied around her and she began to experience a new joy .Her grandchildren were growing up and some began to have children of their own. Rose once again had little children around her. There are nine great grandchildren now, Tyler, Alexandra, Erik, Tanner, Reed, Mardi, Vaughn, Dane, and Amelia and there was a special bond between each of them in their own way. They call her GG and loved to visit with her at King Bruwaert Home and then at her room at the house till the end of her life. If she had a visit from a little one her day was happy. The hug from a little child was truly healing for her.

Rose was a long time parishioner at St Bruno Church in Chicago and then St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale. The two families were devout Catholics and when asked they donated the new alter needed at the time. Rose would never say no to the church. She was spiritual, and believed in her faith. They established many long friendships with the clergy all over the country.

Rose passed away peacefully in her sleep on her wedding anniversary on September 1, 2011 at her home at King Bruwaert House, Burr Ridge, Illinois. She is survived by her loving and devoted daughters Diane (Bernie) Cicora, Bernadette (Harvey) Arnott and John "Rick" (Artika) Radek. Her cherished grandchildren Sheryl (Rey) Zedler, Kristin (Tom) Lorenz, Melissa Cicora, Lorelie (John) Parolin, Jennifer (Jeff) Yerks, Taylor McDaniel, Morgan Radek, John Arnott, Whitney Radek, Daniel Radek, her treasured great -grandchildren Tyler, Tanner and Mardi Lorenz Alexandra, Erik and Reed Zedler, Vaughn and Dane Parolin and Amelia Yerks. Her dear sisters Stephanie Radek, Francis "Fran" Kaminecki and Margaret "Marge" Flowers and sister-in law Arlene Czech. The many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her so much. Services were held at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church. Rose was laid to rest in Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, Illinois.