Jean F. Gruneisen

Jean Marie (Feiertag) Gruneisen, age 92, passed away at home peacefully in her sleep on March 26, 2026 at Hearthwood Senior Living, Bartlett, IL. Jean was born on September 27, 1933 in the neighborhood of Mt. Washington in Cincinnati, Ohio, the oldest of four girls. Jean is predeceased in death by her parents Edward G. and Marie (Thomas) Feiertag, her beloved husband Thomas J. Gruneisen, Sr.(d. May 19, 2002), her son Thomas J. Gruneisen, Jr. (d. Jan. 13, 2023), and her sisters Joan McCullough and Janet Frank. She is survived by her sister June Daughterty, her sister-in-law, Edith (Laux) Gruneisen, her three children Ann LaCerra (Edward), John (Kati), Susanne Stankoskey (Andrew) and her six cherished grandchildren Joseph LaCerra, Benjamin LaCerra, Sara (Stankoskey) Williams (David), Kyle Stankoskey, Brea Gruneisen and Nyla Gruneisen. Jean attended Guardian Angels grade school in Mt. Washington and high school across the street at St. Joseph Academy, an all girls school at the time. She was elected senior class president. She said there was not much competition as there were only 14 girls in her class. She graduated from high school in 1951. After high school she enrolled at Our Lady of Cincinnati College (now affiliated with Xavier University) for 2 years. She was elected president of her freshman class (a little more competition but charm won out.) To help pay for college she worked full time at Eagle Savings and Loan in Mt. Washington. She then enrolled at Xavier University night school. After 5 years of night school, Jean received her Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts. It was at Xavier University in June 1958 that Jean met Tom. Both were in the Masque Society (the drama group.) She acted. He helped build sets. They were married on April 11, 1959 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Mt. Washington on a cold, windy, snowy day. Jean and Tom were very active in their parish life no matter where they lived. (Tom's job required him to moved about every 4 years.) Their last stop was Hanover Park, IL in 1976 where they were active in their neighborhood events and as members of St. Walter Catholic Church in Roselle, IL. Jean began a new working career in 1988 after her children were grown. Her first job was as Sales Associate at J.C Penney at the Stratford Mall in Bloomingdale, IL. In 1990 she was hired as a teller with what is now Chase Bank in Bloomingdale. She called herself “the world's oldest teller.” She loved this job so much and still kept in touch with many customers after she retired in 2004. Jean was an avid picture taker which she loved with a passion. She never went anywhere without her camera and photographed all the activities she attended. She loved sharing her pictures with family and friends. Jean was so generous with her time, talent and treasure especially with her family, friends and her parish. She loved the Lord with her whole heart and soul and lived her life following in His footsteps. Jean and her family are so grateful for all the love, care and compassion shown to her her whole life but especially during the last 5 years when her health began to decline. The staff at Hearthwood Senior Living (formerly The Oaks) and Suncrest Hospice showed her much love and attention with the utmost care and helped make Jean's transition comfortable and peaceful during her last few weeks. God bless you all. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Walter Catholic Church 130 W. Pine Ave. Roselle, IL on April 14, 2026 at 10:00am. After the Mass, Jean will be buried at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery 1185 Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL with her son Tom Jr. and next to the love of her life, Tom Sr. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to “Let It Be Us,” an agency which provides effective recruitment and placement for children in Illinois foster and adoptive care.