She was born December 18, 1944 in Chicago to LaVerne and Eleanor (O'Brien) Rennhak.
Ellen was the Retired Executive Director of McHenry County Housing Authority. She volunteered to do the taxes of many seniors in the area. In her free time and in retirement she enjoyed her beautiful garden and could name every flower she was growing. She liked to swim in her backyard pool, read a good book, and spend time with family and friends.
She is survived by her grandson, Guinness Sonntag; her sister, Mary Jane (Michael) Cole; her nephew, John (Catherine) McNamara; her great-niece and nephew, Lauren and Andrew McNamara; and her dear friends, Gail and Tom Lehner.
She was preceded in death by her sons, Sean, Timothy, and Brian, and her parents.
There will be a visitation from 9am to 10:30am prayers on Thursday, August 23 at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Following the prayers there will be a procession to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake for an 11am Funeral Mass.
Interment will be private.
Memorials may be made to the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W. Paddock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.