Obituary: Antoinette "Toni" M. Reynen, 92, Sang in the St. A's Choir For 60 Years

BIOGRAPHY

Antoinette (Toni) Kollross Reynen, 92, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother died peacefully on January 2, 2014. 

Antointette was born on August 1, 1921 in New Franken, Wisconsin, the fifth child of Anton and Katherine Kollross. She married Alfred W. Reynen in 1946 and moved to Evanston, IL that same year. 

She was an active member at St. Athanasius Church, including involvement in the Catholic Family Movement, PTA, Women’s Club, and as Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. Toni’s passion was singing and she was a cherished member of the St. A’s church choir for over 60 years. In recognition of her service to St. A’s, Toni received the Parish Service Award in 2006. 

Antoinette was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 30 years. She began as an operator and progressed through many positions – supervising operators, training private switchboard operators, and writing training manuals. Toni was recognized by the phone company for multiple years of perfect attendance. Not content to stay home after retiring from IBT, Toni put her telephone training to work as a receptionist at Barton Aschman Associates and at Mather Gardens for 16 years. She was an active member and officer of the Telephone Pioneers, where she, of course, led the annual Christmas caroling. Toni sang with the Wilmette Chorus, and also was wardrobe mistress for their many musical productions. 

In 2000, Antoinette moved to Trinity Court at the Presbyterian Home in Evanston. Her infectious smile and upbeat personality made her a natural for volunteering, the play reading group, and modeling in fashion shows. Music was an important part of Toni’s life and she used her strong alto voice for pleasure and prayer, to the delight of many. She joined the Sonshine Singers at Elliott chapel, led the weekly sing-a-long at the McGaw health facility, and was responsible for selecting the music and readings for the monthly Catholic Mass. Toni also enjoyed gardening, sewing, and needlework. 

Antoinette is preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, her sisters Irene, Loretta, and Valerie, and her brother Alfred. She is survived by her two children: Ted Reynen and Mary Kate Jones (Jim), two grandchildren: Peter and Emily (John), and two great grandchildren: Kaylie and Hannah. 

The family would like to thank Toni’s choir family, the nurses and staff at Foster Pavilion, and Midwest Hospice for their kind and loving care during these last few months. 

Saturday January 18, 2014, 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM at Saint Athanasius Church, 1615 Lincoln Street at Ashland Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201 
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Saturday January 18, 2014, 11:00 AM at Saint Athanasius Church, 1615 Lincoln Street at Ashland Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201 
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Nicolet Memorial Gardens, 2770 Bay Settlement Road, Green Bay, WI 54301 
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This obituary was reprinted with permission of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.