Josephine Kropp

Josephine "Jo" Kropp 90, Highland Park, Illinois, formerly of Athens, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Pine Ridge Assisted Living, Colby, under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice. She was born October 29, 1918 in Klee, Ohio daughter of the late James and Magdelena (Kohut) Smola. On November 15, 1935 she married Clarence Kropp in Athens, he survives. For many years, Josephine worked for the Highland Park Hospital, Illinois as a dietary aid until her retirement. Among her many interests, she enjoyed picking raspberries, gardening, baking and cooking. Survivors include, her husband, Clarence Kropp Sr., Colby; one son, Clarence Jr. (Margie) Kropp, town of Goodrich; two grandsons, Clarence Kropp III, Wauconda, Ill. and Stephen (Renee) Kropp, Libertyville, Ill.; three great grandchildren, Anthony (Leah) Kropp, Grayslake, Ill., Stephen Kropp Jr. and Kristine Kropp, both of Libertyville, Ill.; two great great grandchildren, Tyler and Cameron Kropp; one sister, Emily Fink, Athens; her niece, Leona (Jack) Schaetzl, Athens; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Ed and George Smola; and three sisters, Barbara Kemp, Ann Ost and Bessie Kropp. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Rev. Carl Busse will officiate. Burial will be in the Athens Village Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until time of services at the Athens funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ministry Home Care Hospice, Marshfield. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com