Bernadine (Deanie) T. Altenhoff

Bernadine (Deanie) Terese Altenhoff passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 17, 2018. She was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1929 to Jack & Barb Wendell. Preceded in death by her husband John (married 1951), and her 10 brothers and sisters. She was loved and will be missed by her surviving family; children, Cathy (& Gerry) Murphy, Joe (& Eileen) Altenhoff, Susan (& Tim) Staron, Tom Altenhoff, and 6 grandchildren, Gwen (nee Altenhoff) & LT Riley Schoen, Joel Altenhoff & Kristina, Monica (nee Altenhoff) & Joseph Sarna, Ellen Altenhoff, Rachel Staron, and Audrey Staron. Deanie celebrated her faith in Christ as an active member of her parish communities, including St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield, St. Mary Nativity in Joliet, and St. Bridget’s in Loves Park.

A lifelong artist, Deanie loved painting, especially china and ceramics. She started her creative career in Joliet Township High School, providing illustrations for school yearbooks. She then took a correspondence course at the Art Institute of Chicago. She also created original designs for the Lennon Wallpaper Company in Joliet. After John and Deanie were married, they lived in Champaign while John completed a degree in mechanical engineering. During these years, Deanie worked as both a draftsperson and a cartographer. In the 1960s she discovered joy of ceramics. She purchased her own molds and mass-produced numerous items, including cups and holiday ornaments. By the early 1970s, she founded Do-De Crafts with a friend, and frequented the craft show circuit throughout northern Illinois. She also shared her talents with the parishes to which she belonged by creating altar banner art for the various church seasons and events. In the mid-1970s, Deanie transitioned to the detail-oriented, fine art of china painting, where she expanded her artistic passion and talent to a higher level and began to sell her hand-painted china in juried art fairs. These events resulted in hundreds of custom orders which distributed her artwork far and wide. China painting brought Deanie many hours of joy for nearly 40 years.

Deanie was always ready for fun and adventure. She was a great listener, a free spirit with a witty sense of humor, and she made new friends easily in every phase of her life. Deanie was a life-long volunteer, spending many hours assisting people from all walks of life in many different settings. Her friends and family shared her love of traveling, cooking, music, card games, and nature. Her generosity and laughter were infectious and will be long remembered.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers at Siena on Brendenwood, Morning Star Village, and Cherryvale Place.

Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd., Rockford, IL 61107. Visitation from 9:30 until time of mass. Committal service at 2:45 p.m. Woodlawn Memorial Park, Joliet, IL. In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests making a donation to support OSF Saint Anthony Hospice. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Il 61108. –Send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com