Inge Panek

Inge Panek, 98, of North Riverside, Illinois, and born in Copenhagen, Denmark, passed away on December 6, 2023. She is survived by her older sister Grethe Jorgensen, her nieces Helle and Lene Jorgensen, nephew Gregers (Lisbeth Jensen) Jorgensen, and her great niece Anne Mette Damgard Jorgensen, all residents of Denmark.

Inge was a loving wife of 40 years to her late husband Otto Henry Panek. Henry was in the US Army stationed in Hamburg during WW II, and they met when he was on furlough in Copenhagen. They very quickly fell in love and got engaged. She came by ship to the U.S. in 1946 at age 21 to marry Henry and make a life together in the Chicago suburbs. They enjoyed travelling, with their favorite place to visit being Walt Disney World. She loved the trips she made back to Denmark to visit Grethe and her other relatives, as she loved when they travelled to the US to visit her.

Inge worked at Amphenol, Sunbeam and Bekin’s Van Lines. But the job she enjoyed the most was working on the sales floor at the Madigan’s Department Store in North Riverside. Inge had a flare for fashion, enjoyed people and loved helping them to look their best.

When Inge lived in Broadview her yard, full of flowers, was the envy of the neighborhood. She so enjoyed the outdoors and the creatures that lived there - the bunnies, squirrels and even the stray cats, many of which she took care of. A huge animal lover, Inge most enjoyed her many little Dachshunds who were treated like kings.

Inge remained sharp until the very end of her life. She was well read and always up on current events. She spoke several languages. She loved crossword puzzles, taking walks, dining out, going to movies, and talking with and doing things for family and friends. She was well-known for her delicious Danish shortbread cookies which she baked in great batches each holiday season to share with her friends.

Inge was a joy to be with and she will be dearly missed.

Donations in Inge’s memory may be made to The Hinsdale Humane Society, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521 or https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/donate

Visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130; Service in the chapel to follow. Entombment Woodlawn Memorial Park, 7750 W Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130.