Martha Gassmann Kraeger, 86, of Chicago died peacefully on July 10, 2015, in the company of her devoted husband, children and grandchildren.   Funeral mass at St. Ita’s Church, 1220 W. Catalpa, Chicago.

Family was Martha's greatest treasure and she was a loving mother to Peter (Bobbin Beam), Susan Kapche (Jim), Joan Jones (the late Kevin), Mary Getty (James), Pat and Barb Hailey (Allen); cherished grandma of Michelle Kraeger Pope and Katy Kraeger, Nick, Patrick and Genevieve Kapche, Travis, Alison, Collin and Nolan Jones, Kyle and Neil Getty, and Everett and Henry Hailey; proud great-grandmother of Julia and Maddy Pope; fond aunt to many.

She is survived by siblings Trudy Reynolds (Richard) of Rockford and Frank Gassmann. Martha was born May 24, 1929 in Olney, Illinois to Zean and Gertrude Gassmann.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Mary, Kay, Liffet, Bubby, Barbara, George, Henry and John. She met John Kraeger at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. They married in 1950, settling in Chicago's Edgewater/Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood in 1961.

Creativity, frugality, love and humor were Martha's character strengths. As a full-time mom of six, she loved the term "domestic engineer" to describe her profession. Those skills extended to her community. She was a trusted neighbor, who after her own children were grown was always willing to babysit for neighbors in a pinch, accept a UPS package or keep watch on a vacationing neighbor's house. She established the trolley car parade of shoebox lanterns that took place at the annual Wayne Avenue block party starting in the 70s that continues today. As an enthusiastic volunteer, no assignment was ever beneath her-she rolled up her sleeves and got the job done! Martha was active in St. Ita's parish, Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council (LBRC), Edgewater Historical Society and Care for Real. LBRC presented her with the "Outstanding Neighbor Award" in 1972, and in 1993, the Edgewater Community Council recognized Martha and John's commitment to the community its "Spirit of Edgewater" Award. She was kind, quick to smile, loved conversation and didn't shy away from stating her opinion. Her spirit lives on in many fond memories.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) obituary and photo published - October 16, 2015