Ethel E. Schwolow

Ethel E. Schwolow, nee Geistfeld, Life long resident of Roselle
Beloved wife of the late Howard E. Schwolow; Devoted mother of Diane (Theodore) Meiggs; Loving daughter of the late Gustav and Lydia Geistfeld; Dear grandmother of Steven (Melissa) Meiggs and Darren (Elizabeth) Meiggs; Fond great grandmother of Ethan, Alex, Jacob and Evan; In lieu of flowers donations are asked to be given in Ethel’s Memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle at www.trinityroselle.com or by calling 630-894-3263

On February 19, 1921 Ethel Evelyn Geistfeld arrived at 5 am to her proud parents Gustav Henry Geistfeld, Jr. and Lydia (Forke) Geistfeld on the farm located on Mensching Road, Roselle, Illinois. She was their first child. Ethel’s grandparents, Gustav Henry Geistfeld, Sr. and Anna (Lichthardt) Geistfeld also lived on the farm. Ethel had a younger sister, Verdell June born in 1923. Sadly, she passed away in 1924 due to pneumonia. (A history of the farm is included in an article from the Roselle Historical Museum.) Growing up on a farm in the 1920’s was much different than today. The family worked as a unit and everyone had their “chores.” Ethel’s first responsibilities included feeding the chickens, gathering eggs and tagging along with her mom. As she got older the responsibilities became more important and more numerous. Ethel attended Roselle Public School for her first two years, then transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church and School. She was confirmed and graduated from 8th grade in 1935. There were no school busses when Ethel went to elementary school. Since they lived about 3 miles from school, Ethel’s father would take her to school on his milk truck. Each morning the farmers would take their cans of milk to the train station in Roselle. If Mom didn’t get up early enough to go with her dad, she would often go with their neighbor, the Menschings, when they delivered their milk to the station. After school Ethel would walk to her grandparents’ home on 17 W. Elm Street where she would spend the night. Often she would spend more nights at her grandparents’ home than on the farm. High school years were spent at Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where she graduated in 1939. There was only one bus pickup in the morning and afternoon. If you missed the bus, you had to walk home 7 miles. Mom and her friend missed it only once!! Ethel attended her Junior and Senior Prom and afterwards she and her date had dinner at Ki’s Restaurant located on North Avenue in Glendale Heights. It is still in business today after all these years. During her school years Ethel had several jobs besides her farm chores. She cleaned houses (for a dollar a day) and did some babysitting. She would have to walk through the farm fields of her parents and neighbors; about a two mile trek each way. After graduation Ethel was hired by the Elgin watch factory where she was an assembler. She worked there until she was married in 1941. Many of the young people in the area frequented local dance halls where they could socialize with old friends and meet new ones. One popular place was Shane’s located on Higgins and Arlington Heights Roads. Over the years I’ve heard from Mom’s many friends that she was one of the best dancers around. She could do it all -Boogie Woogie, Charleston, etc. It was at Shane’s that Ethel met her future husband, Howard E. Schwolow of Palatine, Illinois. They dated for about two years and were married on October 2, 1941 in a Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. Howard was on leave from boot camp, and they decided to get married at that time. The waiting time for a marriage license was shorter in Missouri than in Illinois. They were accompanied by Ray and Alverna Hinrichs of Palatine -Howard’s sister and brother-in-law. They were married for 58 years when Howard passed away on December 17, 1999. Their first home was at 120 S. Roselle Road. On October 16, 1944 they welcomed their only child, Diane Claire and lived at that residence until 1950. After some remodeling, they moved to 17 W. Elm Street and maintained that residence until about 1978. Ethel had inherited this home from her grandfather, so it was a special place for her. When Ethel’s mother Lydia developed heart disease the decision was made to move to a single-story home. It was then they moved to their present address on W. Granville Avenue. Ethel had several jobs during her marriage. Her first was as a press operator for Roselle Plastics located on the south side of Roselle Road, east of Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. She worked the night shift from 4 pm ’til midnight. After that experience, she never wore jeans or levi’s unless it had some “bling” attached. Her next job was as a waitress for Marshal Field’s. They maintained a skeet and trap shooting range on Higgins Road west of Roselle Road that included a small restaurant for their patrons. She worked on weekends so my dad and grandparents could be with me. n 1957 Mom read an Avon want ad in the Chicago Tribune. Avon Products, Inc. was building a new office and manufacturing center in Morton Grove. Training was to be held at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. She applied, was hired as a key punch operator and thus began a 42-year career with Avon. She worked her way to Corresponding Secretary responsible for composing, updating form letters (over 200). She also answered letters personally from customers (70 per day) and wrote a few Q & A items that appeared in the Chicago Tribune. There were many other responsibilities too numerous to mention. Mom missed very few days during those 42 years. No matter the weather – sleet, snow or ice she would make the 20-mile trip to work. She retired from Avon in March of 1999 at the age of 79. She loved the excitement and glamour of her job and made many new friends along the way. The ‘Avon Girls’ still keep-in-touch today. It was certainly different than the farm. Ethel loved to golf. During the summers, a group of friends would golf every week until the weather became cold. They did this for decades. After her retirement, she joined two golf leagues and joined her good friend Irene Hitzamann once a week for a round of golf. She did this until she was 90! ! After her husband passed away, Ethel became quite the traveler. Her motto was “Have suitcase, will travel!” She’s traveled to China, Austria, Scandinavia, the Greek Islands, Spain, Portugal, Morroco, Israel, Mexico and Canada. Ethel’s faith has always sustained her – in good times and bad. It’s been a part of her everyday life since she was a child. I know she still says her prayers every night and speaks to the Good Lord many times during the day. Mom has had a rich and full life and has always been fiercely independent. Until recently, she’s maintained her home, lived independently, passed her Driver’s license test each year and tended to her finances. She still avidly follows the stock market and enjoys current events. She often says, “I always look forward, never back!!! There are still things to do.”

Remarkable!!!