Jean "Tootsie" Hunt-Christ

Union, IL- Jean V. “Tootsie” Hunt-Christ, 68, of Union died Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry. Born December 13, 1946 in Oconomowoc, WI the daughter of Robert and Joan (Codman) Kleimenhagen. Graduated from Craig High School in 1965 and lived in Janesville for several years before moving to Rockford. Jean found enjoyment in in-home party sales for Fay Swafford Luggage and Purses and Living Home Hydroponic Plants and would have her items exhibited at the local fairs and festivals. While doing this she met her companion and best friend, Karl Christ. Together they expanded their business to food concessions, first with Tootsie’s Fine Food in 1982 until present and Horizon Food Service, owning and operated all the food concessions for all NIU athletic events, from 1994- 2006. She was a member of the Union Lioness Club and the Hampshire VFW Auxiliary Post 8043. She loved to spend warm sunny days on the deck at the farm, playing BINGO, traveling to Las Vegas, shopping, going to auctions, collecting and showing antiques at the county fairs and was a fabulous cook and baker, especially making her famous Christmas cookies to share with family and friends. Jean loved and cherished every moment she spent with family especially with her grandchildren, they were the twinkle in her eye. She was a generous, kind and caring woman who would do almost anything for family and friends. She will be deeply missed by anyone who had the chance to meet her. Her family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to her very close friends for always checking in on her and bringing over her favorite snack.
Survivors include her companion of 34 years, Karl Christ; daughter, Erika (Jason) Freund; son, Brian (Patricia) Hunt; grandchildren, Britny, Andrea, Zoe, Dylan Jo, Paxtyn and Layne; great granddaughter, Aleksia; sisters, Karen (Steven) Reed, Karla (Tim) Brikowski; half-sister, Bobbie Jeanne (Jeremiah) Weber; and several nieces and nephews and her feline friends especially, Rollie Pollie . She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Kleimenhagen; mother, Joan (Bill) Lund and special daughter, Stacy Parker.
Funeral services Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 12 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 6821 Main St, Union, IL. Interment will be held in Union Cemetery. Visitation Friday, April 10 from 5-7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL and continues on Saturday at church from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Union Lioness Club or Hampshire VFW Auxiliary Post 8043.