Ilene Ellen Strauss

July 16th, 2025

Kent and Ross,

I’m so very, very sorry to hear this news, and I’m sorry to just now have stumbled upon this. My memories of Ilene date back well over 30 years, and I remember her as being fiercely independent, as raising two very independently minded and caring sons, and as being someone who was extremely giving of herself. I also remember her willingness to be quick with a joke, which I realized later in life, was extremely impressive when dealing with groups of teenagers coming in and out of her home. She respected us in the same way our best teachers did, and we respected her back. (& Her jokes were, I’m sure, the funniest and most insightful of all of us as we’d come to the house, but I’m sure that was lost on me at the time!

Finally, unlocking my first memory of Kent’s mom – hair and makeup for The Hobbit, the musical, at Cooper Jr High in Spring 1988. 😉

Thanks to Ilene, and, again, my condolences to Kent and Ross, and I’m sorry I was not there today. May her memory be for a blessing.

~Jason Klein
~Friend, Palatine, Illinois

July 15th, 2025

So many memories of Aunt Ilene. Her love of everything turtles. The birdhouses. Always with a smile. The barber chair in the old house. She and Uncle Stuart were not able to join us for us for Kris’ Bar Mitzvah, but met us for dinner on their way home from their special trip. Did not get to see her and the rest of the family as much as I would have liked in the last few years, but she was a very loving and caring aunt. Thinking of my cousins, Kent, Ross, Diane, Sandra, Willow, Lennon, Oliver, Louisa, and Solomon. Wish I could be with you today.

Jacki

~Jacki Moore
~Niece, St. Louis, MO

July 15th, 2025

I have so many memories of Ilene and Stuart . My parents were best friends with them since before I was born ! Stuart and Ilene took us to Great America ! Ilene gave the best hugs ! She always wanted to know about me and my family .She was a special person ❤️

~Joanne Brottman
~Friend, Elk Grove Village

July 13th, 2025

Many wonderful memories from when Uncle Stuart was still with us, but the clearest is when I was going through some old pictures and found one(some?) and I commented on the “horrible” over-the-top makeup (lots of pale eyeshadow) and asked “who was that?” turns out it was my lovely aunt, at her wedding. My foot was so far down my own mouth…but she still loved me.

~Jamie Zieff
~Nephew, Aurora, CO