Leopoldine Koelbl

Leopoldine 'Omi' Koelbl, wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of Montello passed away peacefully at age 91 surrounded by her family Thursday afternoon, January 24, 2013 at Harris Villa Assisted Living in Westfield. Omi was born in Wallern, Bohemia to Johann and Hedwig (Rauscher) Kasper on September 3, 1921. She married Frank Koelbl and together they emigrated with their family in 1957 from Germany to Chicago and then in 1959 moved to Montello. Frank preceded her in death in 1971. Omi worked for many years for Montello Products as harness line assembly worker, retiring in 1982. She was a great cook, making her own juices and canning her own vegetables. Omi was well known for knitting her famous 'Omi socks' and enjoyed traveling back to Germany to visit relatives with her daughter Trudy. She especially enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Omi is survived by three sons: Frank (Michelle) of Bradenton, FL, Bert (Bridget) of Montello and Ed (Jeri) of Montello as well as a son-in-law, Helmut Letzel of Mt. Prospect, IL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Matthew, Thomas, Erin, Jessica, Heidi, Adam and Kristoph as well as eleven great-grandchildren: Jack, James, Camden, Cole, Emma, Aidan, Kylie, Anna, Chloe, Delaney and Noah. Omi is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Germany. Omi is preceded in death by her parents, husband, her daughter, Ehrntraud 'Trudy' Letzel, her granddaughter, Alyssa Koelbl, one brother, Emil Kasper and half-brother Otto Rauscher. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening at the Crawford Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and also at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Father Michael Richel will preside and following the traditional service Omi will be cremated. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Montello. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established. Crawford Funeral Home of Montello is honored to be serving to family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Visitation
Wednesday, January 30, 2013