Anna Claire Hrtanek

Of Arlington Heights, Illinois

Anna Claire Hrtanek was born on April 19, 2007 in Evanston, Illinois to Matthew and Cathleen “Cassie” (nee Orban) Hrtanek. She died Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Anna was a Fifth Grade Student at Westgate Elementary School. She was an avid tennis player and a member of Forest View Racquet Club where she spent many hours after school preparing for her dream of playing tennis for Northwestern University. Anna was a Junior Girl Scout of Troop #40901. She spent years at McDonald Dance Academy where she enjoyed classes in Ballet and Jazz. Adventurous, creative and inquisitive, she liked designing, building and outdoors activities which included hiking, water sports and downhill skiing, among others. Anna loved to cook and bake and was looking forward to her remodeled kitchen where she had plans of baking and decorating multi-tiered cakes for her friends and family to enjoy. Anna was an avid Minnesota Vikings Fan and humored her mother by also cheering for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Anna also loved to read and would often devour several books a week.

She will be remembered for her motto, “KMF” (Keep Moving Forward), her grit, determination, kindness, caring and standing up for her beliefs. Anna was an animal lover, especially of her beloved dog Max, and was a passionate supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Buddy Foundation. Even at such a young age, she was a progressive liberal who attended the Women's March in Washington, DC in January 2017 and believed in equal rights for all.

Anna is survived by her parents; her sister, Maddie, her brother, Drew; her grandfather Richard J. Orban; her grandmother, Connie L. Hrtanek; her aunt, Monica S. (James) Kulaga; and her cousins, Lilly and Caroline.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Sue Orban and her namesake, her great-grandmother, Anna Orban.

Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 6, 2018, with a Memorial Celebration, including a short video commemorating Anna’s life and an opportunity for friends and family to share remembrances of Anna, at 5:00 pm at the Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Funeral Mass 9:30 am, Monday, May 7, 2018 at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, 440 S. Mitchell, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

In honor of Anna, we invite anyone who would like to wear purple, Anna’s favorite color, to the Visitation and the Funeral Mass. She would have loved to see her friends and family in her favorite color.

Memorials in Anna’s name may be given to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA, 23510, www.peta.org.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.