Illene Mae Stein

She was born at her family farm on March 3, 1936, in Weston, Dunn County, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of 7 children born to William and Irene Ferber.

She moved to Colorado after high school where she met the love of her life, Austin “Dutch” Luther Stein, while working in a small Café. He was a young handsome Air Force Airman at the time, and they were happily married on April 12, 1958. They raised 3 girls, Robin, Jolene and Saundra while moving around with the Air Force getting to see other parts of the U.S. and Germany. They eventually settled in Austin, Texas when he retired from the Air Force in 1973.

They made many friends along the way that she kept up with throughout the years. She loved all her family and friends unconditionally and had the unique ability to remind every one of them how special they were by taking the time to write letters, send cards or just pick up the phone to call them. She always enjoyed meeting up with family and friends to celebrate their birthdays and going out of town to visit family. She was a devoted, loving and compassionate wife, mother and grandmother. She stayed home to raise her 3 girls until they were out of school and then embarked on her new adventures in retail. She was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren that she adored.

She is survived by her daughters, Robin Pettit (husband David) of Pflugerville, Texas; Jolene Korthals (significant other Les Lupkes) of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Saundra Reyes (husband Roger) of Buda, Texas; grandchildren Brian Pettit (wife Sarah) of Cedar Park, Texas; Christina Welfel (husband Kevin) of Bossier City, Louisiana; Alicia Jansma (husband Wayne) of Ellsworth, Minnesota; Stephanie Puterbaugh (husband Aaron) of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Rachael Rockafellow (husband Dustin) of Lubbock, Texas; Jessica, Anthony and Carlos Reyes of Buda, Texas; all her great-grandchildren; brothers, Allen Ferber (wife Loletta) of Barron, Wisconsin; William Ferber, Jr. (wife Judy) of Altoona, Wisconsin; sister Shirley Sands of Menomonie, Wisconsin; sister-in-laws Janet Hall, Joyce Lesher and Jean Smith of Pennsylvania as well as many other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Irene Ferber, husband Austin L. Stein, half-brother Lyle Ferber, brother Ronald Ferber, sisters Barbara O’Connell and Marlys Pittman, sister-in-law Patricia Ferber, and other beloved family members.

The family wants to extend a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ and most sincere gratitude for the care and compassion provided by all the wonderful staff and great nurses, especially Chelsea Montinago and Naomi Nelson of Hospice Austin. Special thanks goes out to Nurse Practitioner Melody Kamanda, and CNA’s Kylahn Arnold & Obdoulia Fabela who were with us the whole time and became like family to us during the 18 months of caring for mom.

Special thanks also goes out to her granddaughter, Jessica Reyes, who was there with Robin for almost a year helping to care for her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Illene’s name to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas, 78759.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2024 in the Walden Room of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, the interment will immediately follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers:

David Pettit

Roger Reyes

Brian Pettit

Anthony Reyes

Carlos Reyes

Wayne Jansma

Kevin Welfel

Eric Pettit