Adele Mrohen

Adele “Adelheid” Mrohen (née Hertelendi), also known affectionately as “The Mother,” age 86, passed away at approximately 9:47 PM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in the living room of her Skokie, Illinois home in the presence of her only son Adam and surrounded by the Christmas decorations she looked forward to so much every year. She was adamant that she not be placed in a nursing home during her twilight years, and mercifully she was spared that fate until the very end. She was officially pronounced dead the next day, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Adele was born Tuesday, December 20, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to late parents Joseph and Susanna (Mutter) Hertelendi. Unfortunately, she was born with an extra cervical rib that caused her neck and other body pain that haunted her all her life. She was the beloved wife of the late Alfred Mrohen to whom she was married for 33 years. She often lamented that she was predeceased by all her brothers and sisters and their spouses: Elizabeth (Nicholas) Kron, Mathias (Sylvia) Merstorf, Joseph (Rose), Esther, Josephine (Ben) Wojak, Robert (Bernice), and Michael (Martha). (An aside: Adele often told the story that when Elizabeth heard that her newest sister was to be named “Adelheid,” she purportedly decided on the spot that that would simply not do in an era when “it wasn’t good to sound too German,” and convinced their parents that she should be known henceforth as simply “Adele.”) She was the fond stepmother of Alfred’s children Robert (Peggy), Catherine Lee, and James (Sharon). She was dear Oma to Catherine’s children Rebecca, Amanda, and Jessica and James and Sharon’s Ryan and Michael. As the last survivor of her siblings, she was precious aunt and grandaunt to many, including Brandon Kron who was her godson.

Adele was raised in Chicago and would frequently regale audiences with memories of all that went on growing up on Hudson Avenue. As a young girl there she became fast friends with a boy named Billy Schmidt, who she later confessed to be her first love (despite their youth). She was devastated in what was likely a life-changing way when he died at age eight in a car accident that could have possibly claimed her as well had she not been called away by her mother to go run an errand minutes before.

She graduated from St. Michael Central High School in 1956. When dealing with professionals of all kinds and their complex explanations she was known to quip that, “You’re only dealing with a high school graduate,” but despite not pursuing higher education, she possessed her own brand of wisdom. She had many stories to tell about the nuns who taught at St. Michael’s and the priests at the associated church, all of them characters in their own right. She worked at a local bakery in her teenage years and then later in secretarial and temp positions where she put to use her mastery of shorthand. She continued to use it well into her post-working life, leaving scribbles indecipherable to most on calendars, notes, and other documents.

After marrying Alfred she went on to become a dedicated mother and homemaker who “just wanted to make things nice.” She succeeded. She enjoyed holidays and decorating for them, including her own creation at Halloween called “The Pumpkin Man” assembled from pumpkins, gourds, and miscellaneous items for the face and clothes. In particular she will be remembered for the Christmas season parties she and Alfred would host for the Mrohen side of the family where tuna pâté, a Dream Whip/Jell-O confection, multiple beef tenderloins, and plenty of German sweet wine (Auslese) would be served, along with individually tailored Christmas ornaments and chocolate ladybugs (for good luck in the new year!) awaiting each guest at their assigned place at the table. Her “crescent” and hazelnut cookies and honey bread were holiday staples appreciated by many. She delighted in erecting a Christmas (and Easter) village on the living room mantelpiece each year and is credited with introducing roast goose as the pièce de résistance of the Christmas Day family meal. She was a childhood fan of the Christmas radio program “The Cinnamon Bear” and listened to it often into adulthood. Her present-wrapping skills were impeccable, always with a tight fit and often adorning packages with elaborate ribbons. Rounding out her Christmas repertoire, she, along with other women at St. Lambert’s parish, constructed ornate cookie houses (distinct from gingerbread houses) for the church bazaar that assured that the German booth always raised the most money.

Adele had a soft spot for dogs (had several over her life), cows, frogs, flowers, and donating to a wide variety of charities. When it came to food, she liked it hot (couldn’t stand when it got cold) and was drawn to sweets various and sundry. In her free time she could often be found reading, especially mysteries. She listened to old-time radio programs (e.g., “The Shadow”) when she was younger and was tuned into “A Prairie Home Companion” alongside her husband and son after coming home from grocery shopping on Saturdays. When it came to music, she preferred having Golden Oldies and big band tunes playing on car rides and in the home. She fancied watching British mysteries and music programs on PBS and gravitated toward the Game Show Network in her later years. “Jeopardy!” was also a consistent favorite; she always tried to get at least one answer right each episode. She treasured her Lladró collection, Christmastime (if that wasn’t obvious from above), dancing (often the polka) with any family member she could snag, going through old photographs, and many more things than can be mentioned here.

She was a strong proponent of travel to those who would listen and made her husband Alfred a convert. She visited many states (Hawaii on her honeymoon and Arizona on multiple occasions to visit Josephine and Mathias), Canada, and went to Europe several times, including with Adam on a high school trip to Spain and an expedition to Vienna to see distant relatives with Elizabeth, Joseph and Rose, and their son Frank. While on a destination wedding trip to Mexico, she conquered her fear of heights long enough to zip line high in the air to the ovation of all present.

As many who were familiar with her know, she exhibited what her side of the family often (proudly?) refer to as the “Hertelendi spirit” (or perhaps a harsher phrase), although to a lesser extent than some. It could manifest as a pronounced feistiness and stubbornness, including holding a grudge, and likely got her into trouble on more than one occasion. She took pride in sending back poor quality food and standing her ground in a restaurant or other service settings, much to the chagrin of her son. Nonetheless, her willingness to speak her mind and advocate for herself and her family was part of what made her a devoted mother.

As with any life, no amount of words can entirely encapsulate who Adele was, but the fullness of her memory will be a source of joy and strength to many. She is deeply missed already.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 3-8 PM at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60646. A burial service will occur Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 10 AM beginning at the same funeral home, followed by a drive-by of her Skokie home with graveside interment at Elmwood Cemetery, 2905 N. Thatcher Ave., River Grove, IL 60171.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Adele’s name to the charity of your choice. Thank you for reading.