Ilse Ottilie Mollenhauer, 98, of Northbrook, IL, formerly of Morton Grove and Chicago, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026. She was born on April 3, 1927, in Arnstein, Germany, to Julius Fuhrmann and Emma (née Schaub).

Ilse grew up and attended elementary school, high school, and business school in Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland). As a young child she enjoyed visiting relatives in Switzerland, wandering the woods with her friends playing and picking berries, and participating in competition swimming. Her life was forever shaped by the harsh reality of being a teenager during World War II where in 1943 her home was bombed, and she became a refugee. Her family was finally reunited Christmas 1946.

After the war she worked as a secretary at the American München-Riem Air Base and then spent a year in England as a housekeeper to improve her English. She returned to Germany to work for the Council of Relief Agencies Licensed to Operate in Germany (CRALOG). In 1954, at the recommendation of one of her American bosses, she accepted a job as a bi-lingual secretary and immigrated to the United States.

Through a mutual friend she met the love of her life, Hans-Joachim Mollenhauer, and in 1961 they were married. Their loving relationship would continue over 50 years until Hans-Joachim's passing in 2012.

Ilse's strong faith led her to work for the North American Baptist Conference for over 35 years as an Executive Assistant to multiple directors. Ilse was also a long-time member of Foster Avenue Baptist Church/Northwest Fellowship Church (now The Branch) in Chicago.

In addition to work and church, Ilse took great pride in raising her son, Ralph. She immensely enjoyed gardening, bicycling, painting, and later spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed travel and made numerous trips exploring North, South, and Central America, and Europe.

Ilse always found the good in life and shared her positivity with others. Even in her later years she stayed active helping others. She will be missed by all.

Ilse leaves behind her son, Ralph (Linda Ryan) Mollenhauer; two grandchildren, Peter (Tereza) and Julia; and great-grandchild Anna.

Ilse was preceded in passing by Hans-Joachim; parents Julius and Emma; and brothers Egon and Walter.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM with a Memorial Service at 10:30 AM at Covenant Living of Northbrook, 2625 Techny Rd, Northbrook, IL 6006.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to your favorite charity would be appreciated.