Vera June Kreke (92) of Effingham

Vera June Kreke, 92, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024, leaving behind a richly lived life and 92 years of cherished memories for her family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Vera was born June 17, 1932 in Effingham, IL. She was raised near the Effingham Airport on the Having farm, where she has shared many of her memories. Vera's earliest memories are of walking to Bryant School. Even as a young girl, Vera had a strong mindset. While most young girls wore dresses made of flour sacks, she preferred to wear bib overalls because they had lots of pockets to carry her stuff. She liked to go down to walk on the iron bridge with her friends and play Jacks. She would cut Prince Albert cans into strips and cover them with paper and use them to roll her hair for curls. She once got a doll for Christmas, and she thought she owned the world. She enjoyed the simple things in life. She met her future husband James Kreke at the Stevens barn dance. Dancing was her favorite pastime. She practiced dances at home while listening to the radio. Vera could often be seen at the dances cutting a rug with anyone who could keep up with her. She used her cooking skills and her other talents to give back to communities and children through the Effingham Moose Lodge, American Legion, VFW, the ELKs, and anywhere else she was needed. Vera helped the hearing-impaired children in Effingham County get an education by driving them to Charleston, IL, where her son was in the first graduating deaf class. Vera married James Kreke on June 18, 1949, and they had 8 children. She loved each child for their own individual characteristics. Vera raised her children with love, common sense, and hard work. Nothing meant more to her than family. Vera's unconditional love and wisdom has been passed through 5 generations of family. She enjoyed many lifelong friendships. James and Vera traveled extensively with family and friends. She always said, "If you can go...GO!" Her passion for traveling led her to visit all 50 states. Alaska was her favorite, although she said the mountains of Colorado also called to her. Her house was always open to anyone wanting to stop and visit or play a hot game of cards. Vera loved to socialize while swapping stories over a beer. She never met a stranger. She also loved gambling, John Wayne, gardening, and farming. Vera June was an example of kindness and compassion and chose to believe in goodness. She was very laid back, but not afraid to stick up for what was right. Her wisdom and love will always be her legacy.

She is survived by daughters, Linda Roley of Effingham, Debra Baker (Mike Hoene) of Effingham, Vicki (George) Weis of Effingham; sons, Larry (Gail) Kreke of Altamont, Rick (Deb) Kreke of Effingham, Bruce (Ida) Kreke of Dieterich, and Todd Kreke of Effingham; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Caroline Having; son, David; husband, James; grandson, Brandon Weis; son-in-law, Robert Roley; and her siblings.