Geraldine "Gerry" A. Kleich (nee Burke), age 86, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois for 59 years, died unexpectedly on April 6, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of nearly 63 years of the late Kenneth W. Kleich. Loving mother of Beverley, Gregory and Timothy (DeLynn) Kleich. Proud Gramma of Cheryl Valloni, Nicholas, Randall and Jonathan Kleich. Dear Sister-in-law to Thomas (Jeanette) Kleich and the late Dorothy Jimenez. Fond Aunt. Also survived by a long list of loving cousins.

Gerry was born August 23, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Stella (nee Mierkiewicz) and George Burke. She attended all Catholic schools while growing up and frequently helped care for many of her younger cousins. She honored her late father's wish becoming the first person in the whole family to earn her Bachelor's degree from Mundelein College. She dated Ken for 6 years, they married in 1959 and began their family the following year. Her entire life revolved around family and close friends. Gerry was active while raising her children in their Scouts activities, school PTA, Library assistant and volunteering where needed. She had and shared many talents and interests. She was an avid gardener, tending to her many flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. She even loved shoveling snow in the winter when nothing was growing. She participated in neighborhood get togethers, coupon clubs and a craft group with her cousin and friends where she loved crocheting some favorite family gifts. Sewing, arts and crafts of many kinds were also creative outlets for her and her family. Cooking and Baking were a definite favorite for everyone! She performed miracles with a pound of ground beef and everyone still craves her Lasagne and chocolate eclair cake for each birthday celebration! Gerry decorated the inside and outside of her house including colored lighting for each and every holiday much to the delight of many drivers on Golf and Wolf roads. She and her husband enjoyed getting away on vacation car trips around Lake Michigan. Their favorite place to stay was with friends in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

Gerry's later years involved a slower life praying, reading the newspaper daily, attempting to complete the crossword puzzle and solving word search puzzles. She and Ken would also watch TV game shows or a TV movie. She has seen every single Hallmark movie sometimes 2 or 3 times! Devout Catholics as Gerry and Ken were, they attended mass every Saturday night followed by dinner usually at Silver Stallion with friends or family.

Gerry was very generous and always thoughtful. She supported multiple missionary, religious and charitable organizations often sending mass cards to every relative and friend whose birthdays, anniversaries and holidays were always remembered by her. Gerry will be deeply missed by many and forever in our broken hearts.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2024 beginning with a final viewing from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the funeral home, followed by Mass at 12:30 pm at Nazarethville Place, 300 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, Illinois. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.

For information, please call the funeral home at 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .