Isabella Catherine Ingles, age 101, a 65-year resident of Des Plaines, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Spokane, WA.  She was born September 13, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois, to William & Anna Hankel.

Isabella grew up on the north side of Chicago, graduating from Senn High School in 1939. After high school, she worked for the gas company  and then entered the US Navy in 1944. Prior to entering the military, Isabella had learned to fly a plane. The Navy recognized this skill and sent her to Atlanta for training as a control tower operator, graduating second in her class. She was one of two women assigned as tower operators at the Naval Air Station in Pasco, WA. While there, she met her future husband, Roy. They married in Chicago in 1947.

Raising a family in Des Plaines, Isabella was active as a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout troop leader. For many years she volunteered with the St Matthews Lutheran Home for the Aged service league. In 1979 Isabella completed the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute and returned to St Matthews to oversee the occupational therapy program there.

Continuing her community commitment to Des Plaines, Isabella was active in Lady Elks, volunteering many years at the Des Plaines Self Help Closet & Food Pantry and serving on the board of directors. In addition, she was a member of the University of Illinois Homemakers extension program. In her spare time, she sewed many beautiful quilts for her family. Her service in World War II was recognized in 2013 with an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

She is survived by her four children: William (Susan) of ID, Scott of WA, Janet (Gordon) Tsuchiya of CA, and Anne of Des Plaines, IL; five grandchildren: Rebecca (Edmund) Tsuchiya Olsen & Samantha Tsuchiya, Tiffany, Cozy & Jake Sandoval-Ingles; seven great grandchildren: Adrianna, Edmund, Beatrice, Oaklynn, Arthur, Zeelah & Shyla.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roy.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gifts may be directed to the Self Help Closet & Food Pantry , 769 Holiday Ln, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Family and friends may sign a guest book HERE . For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.