Annelore Weinreich Mikolajczak passed away on May 30, 2026 at the age of 101. 

Annelore was born October 21, 1924, in Wetzlar Germany to Erich and Paula Weinreich. She emigrated to the United States in 1949 after her marriage to Edward Mikolajczak who was stationed in Germany as a 2nd Lieutenant with the U.S. Army, post WWII. The couple settled in Chicago.

Annelore devoted her life to family first, but also enjoyed working out of the home at various jobs, including owning a dry cleaning store in Cicero, working at Western Electric, and in her “retirement” years, working as a greeter at Walmart in DeKalb.

She was a popular fixture at the store with her bright red vest decorated with various pins. Several times she was recognized as “Employee of the Month.” When walking through DeKalb, she was often greeted by those who knew her from the store with her friendly smile and kindness, as she handed out carts or directed customers to where they wanted to go. Her family would tease her when witnessing these encounters, telling her she was “like the mayor of DeKalb.”

She and her husband raised four sons, mostly in Chicago and Cicero, with stops in Elmhurst, Bellwood and Addison, finally retiring in DeKalb. Annelore is survived by her son Jack Mikolajczak (Rachel Jackson), daughter-in-law Rose Marie Mikolajczak (Gary), 11 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Edward, her three sons, Jeff, Wayne and Gary, and her grandson Martin Mikolajczak.

Her family will remember her for her fabulous stuffed cabbage, the many great cakes she baked — especially the George Washington one — her poker playing skills, her love of mystery books, her sense of fun, the cute traces of her German accent, her crocheted baby blankets, the German dinner gong, the wooden spoon with all her grandchildrens’ names on it, her fabulous fingernails — but most of all, her warm and caring heart.

Annlelore lived a long and fruitful life, reaching beyond her often stated goal to live to be 100. Her family members will celebrate her memory all the days of their lives.

“May God bless your eternal soul, “meine Mutter” and dear, dear Oma.