Obituary of Irene Ruth Zukley

Irene Ruth Zukley, 97 years young passed away peacefully on October 28 2020 at Rolling Hills Manor in Zion. Irene was born October 2, 1923 at home in Zion Illinois to Emily and Alfred Pratt, attended Zion Parochial School and married the love of her life, Raymond in 1946. Irene and Ray opened Zukleys Jewelry in 1954 and spent their entire life living and loving the City of Zion the entire community and its people. Along with managing the family business she co-chaired along with Ray the fundraising efforts to “Save the Zion Dome” and thoroughly enjoyed over 25 years of volunteer service at CTCA. Irene was active in her younger years as a Zion Fire Department “Fire Belle”, one of the originals golfing in the Shiloh Park women’s league and Zion Park District volleyball. She loved gardening, “mowing the lawn” traveling, her children, grand and great, and was a fan of the Cubs and Blackhawks. Irene’s smile, positive personality and willingness to help anyone at any time will be missed. Irene is survived by her children Sandy (Richard) Galgan and Kenneth (Pamela) Zukley. Grandchildren Tadd (Christina) Galgan, Mya Zukley (Mark) Cyr, Pat Galgan, Jordan Zukley (Christopher) Nyberg, Ian (Kristen) Zukley. Great Grandchildren, Tillon, Briley, Victoria, Phillip, Kenshin, Miriam and Dakota; and dear sister-in-Law, Betty Zukley. She is preceded in death by her husband Ray (2016); brother-in-law, Edward Zukley, sister-in-law, Eleanor (Wigs) Konicek; twin brother Laurie (Nell) Pratt; sisters, Marion (Glen) McCulloch, Vera (Marvin) Booth, Kathleen (Beryl) Biddle; and brother, John Pratt. The family would like to thank Rolling Hills Place and Manor for the wonderful and loving care given to her throughout the years and most recently their challenges as a result of Covid. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene’s honor to Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program (horse therapy program for disabled children) 1451 172nd. Ave. Union Grove, Wisconsin 53182 or Camp Zion (Christ Community Church camp) 2500Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion Illinois 60099. Services will be private.