With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Laura L. Jendrzejewski, 72, of Wheeling, Illinois, formerly of Antioch, Illinois, on October 31, 2024. After a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Laura embraced her eternal rest, surrounded by love.
Born on February 17, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, Laura was a bright light from the very beginning. She graduated from Rockford University with a BA in Education, where she not only nurtured her passion for teaching but also found her soulmate in John Jendrzejewski. Their 49 years of marriage were filled with laughter, adventure, and an unbreakable bond that inspired everyone around them.
Laura’s greatest joy came from her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, John, and their two cherished daughters, Karen (Matt) Clutter and Jessica (Buzz) Leffelman. Her grandchildren—Johnny, Brook, Nate, Grace, Chelsea, and Lydia—were the apples of her eye, and she reveled in every moment spent with them, filling their lives with warmth, stories, and her signature love.
Laura’s legacy lives on through her sister, Gail (Frank) Caponi, along with numerous nieces, a nephew, grandnieces, and grandnephews, who all carry a piece of her spirit. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lars and Margaret Parker, and her dear sister, Sharon Guntly.
Laura had a rare ability to make everyone feel special, always offering a kind word or a listening ear. Her strength, compassion, and unwavering positivity left a mark on all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed by friends and family alike.
A memorial visitation and service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held on November 8, 2024, at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, with a service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, supporting the fight against a disease that took so much but could never diminish Laura’s light. For more information, please visit www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847) 223-8122. Let us remember Laura not just for her struggle but for her boundless love, her laughter, and the legacy of joy she leaves behind.