Jean Doris (Armstrong) Kosnick of Ottawa joined the Lord on April 8, 2018 after a long, weary struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Wednesday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with Rev. Nathan Feig, Pastor of Trinity, officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Jean was born on July 28, 1925 in the small town of Delavan, located in Tazewell County, Illinois. She was the first of ten children born to Orville and Zelma (Mosley) Armstrong. When Jean was eleven her family moved to Ottawa’s west side, where she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Kosnick at a party held at the Christ Episcopal Church. Jean graduated from Ottawa Township High School. Following graduation, she worked for a short time as a telephone operator for Illinois Bell Telephone Company. On April 14, 1945, Jean and Bob were married at the Presbyterian Church in Dade County, Miami, Florida. After Bob’s service in the Navy, they settled in Ottawa and raised three children in the home they would continue to share for most of their lives. Jean celebrated 72 wonderful years of marriage to Bob, prior to his passing last year. Jean was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she participated in faith groups, the annual smorgasbord fundraiser and celebrated her relationship with God by attending services with her husband. Jean lived a fulfilling life as a homemaker, and as a partner in her husband’s business. She was instrumental in the establishment and success of Bob’s Auto Upholstering where she worked as the accountant. Jean was an exceptional seamstress and enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and decorating and re-decorating her house. She also had a passion for cooking. One of her favorite past times was looking through cookbooks and magazines for new ideas. But her greatest passion in life was her family who meant the world to her, and she to them. Her devotion to her family is indeed her legacy. Jean was a much beloved wife and mother of three; a cherished sister and aunt; and a dearly loved grandmother, great grandmother, and mother-in-law. She spent her life caring for others and often went out of her way to help those who were in need. She was someone we could turn to no matter what the reason or circumstance; a refuge in good times and bad. She was always ready to embrace us with healing hugs and a heart bearing unconditional love. Our world will never be the same without her.
Jean left behind her daughters Cynthia Eichelkraut of Charlottesville, VA and Cheryl Baker (Bobby) of Poway, CA; and son Terry Kosnick (Amy) of Eagan, MN; her grandchildren Lisa Bongartz (Randy Hill) of Ottawa and Shelly Carey (Mike) of LaSalle; Angela Sonday (Brent) of Bayfield, WI and Mia and Sabina Kosnick of Eagan, MN; and great grandchildren Jordie Wahl (Chad) of Streator, and Bailie and Riley Bongartz, both of Ottawa; and Lakyn, Lucey, Luke and Louie Sonday of Bayfield, WI. She is also survived by her brothers Dale Armstrong, Haskell “Dean” Armstrong, Daryl Armstrong, and David Armstrong; her half-sisters Linda Reed, Carmen Ivy and Kathy Rinaldo; sister-in-laws Judy (Dan) Armstrong, and Donna Armstrong (Dale); dear friend Louis Pallai; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean gave all of us so many years of happiness and left us with beautiful memories that we will treasure forever.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Trinity Lutheran Church.
Jean has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.