Eileen Jo Alsen

Visitation for Eileen Jo Alsen (nee Schwerdtfeger), 71, of Palatine, since 1986, will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine.  The Interment will be private.

Eileen was the beloved wife of Donald J. Alsen; loving mother of Dana Alsen; dear daughter of the late Wilbur and Theodosia (nee Galus) Schwerdtfeger; and fond sister of Glenn Schwerdtfeger.  In addition to Don, Dana, and Glenn, she will be missed by sister in-law Kathy Schwerdtfefer (nee Glissman), nieces Jennifer, Christine, and Katherine, nephew Brian, and cousins in Kansas, Southern Illinois, and Hawaii.

Eileen was born April 9, 1950 in Sterling, Illinois, and she passed away April 14, 2021 at home in Palatine surrounded by her family and close friends.  Eileen’s early years were in the small town of Rock Falls, IL.  At the age of 10, she moved with her family to Western Springs, IL.  She was a 1968 graduate of Lyons Township HS and received her BA in history from NIU in Dekalb, IL, in 1972.  She later received her MA in Library Science from Rosary College (now Dominican U.) in River Forest, IL.

The majority of Eileen’s work career was with the Barrington Community School District 220, where she enjoyed being the children’s library/media teacher at three elementary schools: Hough Street, Sunny Hill, and Roslyn Road.  Eileen became good friends with many of her work colleagues and they enjoyed numerous adventures together.

In her personal life, Eileen’s passion was for working in her own garden and experiencing display gardens throughout Illinois and the US.  She was an avid reader of fiction, history, and contemporary topics.  Friends recall her natural decorating and cooking abilities and how she hosted many fine dinners.

Eileen will be best remembered for the stories she read and creative lessons she taught to the thousands of children who passed through her library doors.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in her name to the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle, IL 60532 or visit www.mortonarb.org or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or visit www.cancer.org.

Ladies attending the visitation and funeral service are welcome to wear a Spring time hat in her honor.