"Sorry to hear about Kay death my God Bless Her and the families. "
In loving memory of
Kay F. McCleish
March 27, 1943 - September 16, 2021
A funeral Mass for Kay McCleish will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, at 10:30 AM at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. The funeral will be live streamed on Divine Mercy YouTube page https://youtu.be/LtKi6proOPE. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kay's memory may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Kay was born March 27, 1943 in Bancroft, daughter of Richard and Adria (McGuire) Menke. She grew up in Bancroft graduating from St. John's Catholic School in 1961. Kay was married to Duane McCleish on August 31, 1963 at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft.
Kay and Duane moved to Des Plaines, IL and a few years later relocated to Streamwood, IL, where they raised their three children. Kay was a stay at home mom until her children started school when she then began working at Streamwood Lanes Bowling Alley. She retired from her position as Manager after working there for over 25 years.
Kay loved spending time with her family, reading, her yearly girls trips with her sisters, and watching the Chicago Cubs. Although Kay was never a fan of swimming or being in the water, if there was a boat going for a ride, she was the first one on it (with a life jacket on of course). She loved her boat rides. Kay also did not like cold weather so she always looked forward to spending her winters in Arizona with Duane, family and friends.
Kay's sister Jan summed it up perfectly, "Kay lived a simple life, unassuming and undemanding. All she asked was the love of her family and friends and even that was done quietly. Who else could have entertained the Chicago tribe in such a small house? Who else loved the simple like she did?"
Kay is survived by her three children, Bruce (Janet) McCleish of Fox River Grove, IL, Lanette (Keith) Vesper of Streamwood, IL and Julie (Michael Garcia) Thornton of Elgin, IL; seven grandchildren, Kelley McCleish of Fox River Grove, IL, Michael McCleish of Barrington, IL, Lance (Raeanne) Vesper of Littleton, CO, Andrew Vesper of Denver, CO, Cole Thornton of Elgin, IL, and Mikaela and Samantha Garcia both of Hanover Park, IL; and a great granddaughter, Gabrielle McCleish of Fox River Grove, IL. She is also survived by three sisters, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, Alice Hansen of Schaumburg, IL and Jan Deitering of Bancroft; five brother-in-laws, David (Ladonna) McCleish of Brighton, CO, Dick (Jan) McCleish of Liberty MO, Darrell (Sue) McCleish of Waukee, Darwin (Angie) McCleish of West DesMoines and Dale (Joan) McCleish of Urbandale; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Preceded in death by her husband, Duane, parents; an infant sister, her brother and sister in law, Dennis and Meredith McCleish, a niece Becky Reilly, and brother in laws Tom "Doc" Lensing and Dick Deitering.
Tributes
"First of all we miss you Kay! When Alice and Marilyn walk in my door today a part of our hearts will be missing, but we sisters have lots of fun memories of our time spent together. Even growing up I don?t remember fighting. It just wasn?t part of our family dynamics. It also probably helped we were all four years apart. We have been blessed that we had our sister trips. We have been blessed that since 2005 we have spent retired time together during the winter. No the future won?t be the same without you, but you can bet you will be in our midst and in part of our conversation. We love you. Now you RIP. "
"My sympathies to the entire family! I am so sorry for your loss! Jan...at Dick\'s funeral, I met some of your nieces and nephews. You have a beautiful family!!! Love and prayers! Mary Huizenga Johnson "
"To my wonderful cousins, please accept our sincerest condolences for Kay\'s passing. Yes, Jan said it perfectly -- a simple, unassuming life. But she liked to laugh, too. Just plain wonderful memories of Christmases out in Streamwood at the house and the reunions in Bancroft or wherever. No pictures ever warmed my heart more than pictures of the Menke girls together. I knew how happy my mother always was around Kay and her sisters. Your mom and dad have been wonderful to our family and to my mother. THANK YOU, and God Bless. Hope to see you soon."
"Sending our most sincere condolences on Kay?s passing. She was a special person whom we always enjoyed seeing. May you find peace knowing she is at rest and is with Duane in heaven. God?s blessings to all of you at this sad time. Neal and Ann Anderson Green Bay, WI"
"In my tribute I forgot to mention Glen and Martha McCleish as part of the welcoming committee for Kay!"
"What can I say about a sister I truly loved and will miss her beyond words. I?m sure is being welcomed into heaven by Duane, Mom and Dad, Doc, Becky, Dick, Denny and Meredith. She is now forever happy. Today is such a sad day for me."