Jennrich, Arlene Of Wilmette, Illinois, died on April 21, 2011. She was born to Henry and Esther Armstrong and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She married the love of her life, Ken Jennrich, of Chicago (deceased) on July 3, 1946. They were married for 47 years before he passed away. Arlene was an active member of the League of Women Voters of Wilmette, Wilmette Fair Housing, Interfaith Housing, Interfaith Association of Wilmette, and an avid supporter of the Northlight Theatre. Attended Coe College were she was a member of the Alpha XI Delta Sorority During a period of time when it was unheard of for women to have a role with authority, Arlene became Station Director of KVFD and WHBF Rock Island, Il. where she wrote and broadcasted news stories from World War II over the airwaves. After moving to Chicago, Arlene worked for the Frances Hooper Advertising Agency, Chicago, where she wrote ad copy for the Wrigley Gum Company. Arlene was the quintessential teacher of the Baha'I Faith. She is best known for the Friday night firesides that she and Ken hosted weekly at their home for countless years. For many years Arlene and Ken's home on Maple Avenue in Wilmette became the place of refuge for innumerable travelers who were put up in their upstairs bedroom. Arlene and Ken traveled to Europe to teach. She gave talks on many college campuses. She was known to continually visit friends in need. Arlene and Ken traveled throughout the Continental United States and Canada, as well as Europe. She also traveled to the Holy Land where she went on pilgrimage to the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Arlene served for 40 years as a member of the Baha'i Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette beginning in 1963 where for many years she served as Secretary. She was an anchor of the Wilmette Baha'i community spanning more than a generation, but the light of her service spread beyond the North Shore. Arlene is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Judith Jennrich of Park Ridge, Il., Barbara Jennrich Lazar of Albuquerque, NM, son-in-law Robert Lazar of Albuquerque N.M., and cherished grandmother to three granddaughters, Danielle Lazar, Shayna Lazar, and Mikeala Lazar all from Albuquerque, N.M., sister Peg Hill of Anchorage, Alaska, brothers Robert (Bob) Armstrong (deceased) and William (Bill) Armstrong (deceased) and sister-in-law Janet Armstrong of Albuquerque, NM. and cousins Elizabeth and James Borland of Little Canada, MN. Arlene is also survived by her cat Joonie-Joon who was her loyal companion for many years.
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Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Apr. 28 to May 4, 2011
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=arlene-jennrich&pid=150617878