Patricia Grein

Patricia “Grammy” Grein, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away on April 22, 2026. Born on February 21, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Joe and Grace Heindl.

During her high school years, Pat marched with the Norwood Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, where she formed lifelong friendships and met the love of her life, Wayne Grein. They married in 1962 and built a life together in Schaumburg, Illinois, where they raised their five children. Pat was deeply involved in her children’s education, serving as a room mom and PTA president, and took great pride in encouraging each of her children to attend and graduate from college.

Pat combined her love of nature and education in her work as secretary of the District 54 Nature Center for 15 years. She coordinated outdoor education field trips and delighted students by dressing in period costume to teach basket weaving and butter churning. While raising her family and working, she pursued her own education, earning her associate and bachelor degrees from Harper College and Elmhurst College, and later a master’s degree in education from Concordia University. She went on to teach fourth and fifth grade for 15 years at Dundee Highlands Elementary School in West Dundee. Each year, she welcomed her entire fifth-grade class into her home for a picnic—just one example of her generosity and love for her students. She was also known for her cherished collection of teacher pins, wearing a different one each day.

After retiring in 2006, Pat devoted her time to volunteering and serving others. She joined her local garden club and volunteered at Willow Creek Care Center. She had a quiet way of helping those in need, often covering the cost of items for others and telling them, “An angel put something extra in your bag.” Her gift for hospitality extended far beyond her home. She participated in mission work in Sèvres, France, traveled to New Orleans to cook for work crews after Hurricane Katrina, and faithfully prepared meals for Habitat for Humanity volunteers for many years. She found great joy in cooking, serving, and praying over others.

At home, Pat cherished time spent in her periwinkle screened-in porch, reading her Bible, browsing Country Living magazines, or listening to Ron and Pat call a Chicago Cubs game. She loved antiques and was known to rescue “treasures” from the curb on garbage day. She took pride in her Sears catalog home in West Dundee, which was featured on a house walk in 2018.

Nothing brought Pat more joy than her family. With five children, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, she was a constant and enthusiastic presence at countless milestones and events—births, birthdays, adoptions, graduations, weddings, baptisms, and sporting events of every kind. She was always the loudest and proudest cheerleader.

Pat was a two-time breast cancer survivor, first in 1993 and again in 2013. Following her first recovery, her four daughters organized the first “Grein Girl's Weekend,” a cherished annual tradition that continued through this 2025 year. She treasured the scrapbooks that captured those joyful memories.

A devoted Christian, Pat walked faithfully with Christ throughout her life. She was a member of Willow Creek Church since 1988 and rejoiced as each of her children came to faith through Christ, married Godly spouses, and built families of their own. She lived out Christ’s love with compassion and kindness toward everyone she encountered. Even in her final days at Encore Long Term Care, she greeted caregivers with warmth, gratitude, and a smile. She faced death with peace and confidence in the promise of eternal life through her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Pat leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service that will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in knowing she is now fully at peace, living eternally as a faithful child of God.

She is survived by her children Ken Grein, Sue (Mick) Milliken, Tracey (the late Craig) Doherty, Judi (Brian) O’Connell & Donna (Mark) Pilut; her grandchildren: Kenneth Grein & Krista (Justin) Chaplin; Emma (Joseph) Creath; Jordan Oiler; Jack (fiancée Katie Boyle) O’Connell, Katie O’Connell, Max O’Connell & Spencer O’Connell; Jennifer Pilut & Sarah Pilut; her great-grandchildren: Sienna & Wesley; and her sister-in-law Pat Donaldson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Chip Lindt; her parents; her grandson Jayden Doherty; and her brothers Ken Heindl & Wayne Heindl

A visitation will be held at Willow Creek Community Church, 67 Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL 60010, (Please use entrance B.) on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Willow Creek Community Church Care Center.

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