In Memoriam: Brenner, Cook, Jones, Long, Nerstrom, Olson and Whiteside

Claude Brenner

Claude Brenner, formerly of Lake Forest, passed away on March 7 at the at the home of his cherished companion, Anne Lowell. He lived and raised his family in Lexington, Mass., where he was a resident for 38 years. Brenner was the dear brother of the late Sheila Lang; caring father of Paul T. Brenner and Harriet P. Severino; loving grandfather of Taylor, Eric, Brock and Alisand; devoted uncle of David and Roberta. He was compassionate and passionate, brilliant and wise, witty and thoughtful, generous with his time, talent and treasure, an appreciator, mentor and friend to many. Brenner loved his family, who were scattered on three continents, MIT, liberal causes, devilishly difficult English cryptic puzzles, the arts in all forms, lectures at the Boston Athenaeum, all things mathematical, travel, and Anne, his beloved companion of 14 years. A noted raconteur he loved telling stories and jokes. He loved writing and wrote everything from light verse to introductions of Nobel Laureates at MIT. Recycling and energy conservation were both vitally important to him. Born in South Africa, Claude Brenner arrived in Chicago with his mother and sister for a two-year stay 10 days before Hitler invaded Poland. Atlantic crossings being unwise, the two years ultimately became nine. In the 1940s, Claude was a member of the famous Quiz Kid radio show where he was known for his comprehensive knowledge of aeronautics, and where his elocution was so notable that he substituted for the radio shows host four times. His Quiz Kid role helped him advance to Lake Forest Academy, Class of 1944, a school he held in high esteem throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Lake Forest Academy Fund-Claude Brenner Memorial 1500 West Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045 or to MIT for the Claude W. Brenner Scholarship Fund or MIT Hillel, c/o Bonny Kellermann 600 Memorial Drive W98-500, Cambridge MA 02139.

Granger Cook

Granger Cook, Jr., 88, of Lake Forest, peacefully passed away in his sleep on March 14. He was born on Aug. 31, 1926 in Chicago, son of the late Anna (nee Veysset) and Granger Cook, Sr. Granger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan (nee Tallett); and his five children, Granger “Tres” III (Mary Ellen), Joanne (Kevin) Miller of Lake Forest, Bryan (Patricia), Suzanne (Brett) Moore of Lake Forest, Graham (Beth) of Lake Forest; his brother Kenneth (Marcia); nephew Kevin (Dee) Cook and niece Karen (Michael) Lindley. Granger was also the proud grandfather of 15, great-grandfather of seven, who all greatly appreciated his generosity and foresight in founding his beloved Kilally Club in Desbarats, Ontario, and creating his collection of bronzes by

Elie Hazak. After serving in WWII, he graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in electrical engineering, followed by a law degree from the University of Michigan. He then pursued a very successful career in patent litigation in Chicago, founding and managing Cook, Alex. He was very active in the community, holding the position of Lake Forest Plan Commission chairman and was a past president and life trustee board member of the BGA. In his last two decades, his passion for music led him to become the chairman of the advisory board of Lake Forest Symphony, much to the detriment of his friends’ pocket books, but more importantly to the betterment of the Symphony. He will be deeply missed. Contributions can be made to Lake Forest Symphony, 900 North Shore Drive, Suite 109A, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.

Howard Jones

Howard Jones, Jr., 86, of Lake Forest, passed away suddenly on March 9 while attending a vigil funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in memory of the late Edward Cardinal Egan, archbishop of New York. Born in Oak Park Feb. 19, 1929, he attended Ascension Grade School and Fenwick High School in Oak Park. He attended Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Mo. While in his twenties in the 1950s, he worked in various jobs in Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, a locale that would forever be his home away from home. He met his wife, Nancy Keenan, at Ash Wednesday mass at St. Catherine of Siena church in Oak Park on Feb. 19, 1958, his 29th birthday, and they married there on Sept. 13, 1958. Jones was the loving father of five sons, Rev. Michael Keenan, Matthew (Carol), of Deerfield, Mark of Chicago, Patrick (Lori) of Hinsdale, Peter (Jennifer) of Deerfield, and one daughter, Nan Weitzman (Scott) of Deerfield. He was the proud grandfather and Papa of Samuel, Carly, Dani, Jake, Matthew, Charles, Anna, Howard William III, Luke, Emma, Molly, Murphy, Mac and Max Weitzman. He is pre-deceased by his father, Howard Sr., and his mother, Margaret (Fisher); as well as his sister Virginia. He leaves behind countless friends in the Chicago area as well as his many friends and neighbors in the Ocean Colony community of Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla. He began his business career with the Insurance Company of North America (INA), and later as the owner/operator of his own independent agency in Deerfield, Lake Forest and Forest Park. As an avid athlete, he enjoyed tennis, basketball, baseball, football and hockey, coaching numerous youth baseball and basketball teams in Deerfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Saint Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484 or to the Stephanie Weitzman Foundation of Children’s Memorial Foundation at 1133 Cherry St. Deerfield, IL 60015.

Kenneth Long

Kenneth E. Long, 92, of Lake Bluff, died March 12. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the late John and Rose Long. He attended Nebraska State Teachers College, Catholic University of America and the University of Maryland, all on a part-time basis, before entering military service. Long served in the Army Corps of Engineers, completed officer candidate school and received a commission as an officer. After graduation from Marquette University in Milwaukee with a degree in civil engineering, he worked for most of his career as a city manager both in Ironwood and Lake Bluff, and a longtime volunteer for the Catholic church, in many capacities. He was the husband of Mary Long and the late Margaret Long (1982); father of Rosemary, Theresa (Chris) Rodgers, Richard (nee Gail Blaylock), Kathleen (William) Narrigan, Maureen, Gregory, Steven (nee Isabel Figuera), Jane (Eric) Sprenne, and Daniel; brother of Margaret and John Michael; grandfather of 13; great grandfather of three and uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Daniel Nerstrom

Sgt. Daniel R. Nerstrom, 31, passed away on March 13 in Libertyville. He was born Feb. 26, 1984 in Lake Forest and was a graduate of Oak Grove School and Libertyville High School in 2002. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 15, 2003, served his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. and was a member of the 3rd ACR, Brave Rifles, 3rd Platoon, Killer Troop, 3rd Squadron at Fort Carson, Colo. They left for the Iraq war in Feb. 2005, returned Feb. 2006 and were in Southern Baghdad during that deployment. He was medically retired on Feb. 5, 2013 and became a member of the Gurnee American Legion Post. Surviving are his parents, Douglas and Kim (nee Mitchell) Nerstrom; sister Kelli (Mike) Luna; grandmother Carol Mitchell; his girlfriend, Amanda Tiffany, and her son, Austin, who Dan always considered to be his son. He was also the dear nephew of Peter Nerstrom, Susan (Paul) Andrews, Mark Mitchell and Kelly (Kevin) McCormack. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, LeRoy and Gloria Nerstrom and Roger Mitchell.

Diane Olson

Diane Olson (née Kearney) of Lake Forest and longtime resident of Libertyville passed away on March 15. She was the beloved wife of Ted; loving mother of Christine (Steve) Ryder of Lake Forest, and Kathy (Tony Kwiecinski) Olson of Indian Creek. She was the devoted grandmother to Madeleine, Andrew, Jason, and Dominic. Olson is the dear sister to Mike (Carol) Kearney and treasured aunt by her nieces and nephews. Her radiant smile and compassion for others will be forever cherished by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter, Attn: Donations, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025; Catholic Charities, Attn: Development, 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60654; or Doctors Without Borders USA, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.

Nancy Whiteside

Nancy Whiteside, born Nancy Caroline Stiles on March 18, 1930, passed away peacefully in her home on February 15. She was born in North Weymouth Mass., where she spent the majority of her childhood. During her first year of high school, her parents, Clifford and Yvonne Stiles, moved the family to the island of Nantucket. She quickly fell in love with her newfound island life and went on to be crowned Miss Nantucket. Whiteside graduated from Bowling Green University in Ohio. She moved to Lake Forest in 1958. Whiteside was an avid tennis player and spent her free time playing on the courts of the Lake Forest Club. Her biggest contribution to the community was her commitment to the Lake Forest Hospital (Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital). She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Board in 1991 and was extremely proud of her 23 years of service. She specifically cherished the time she donated to the hospital’s cafe. Some of her closest friends and cherished memories were gained from her years as a member of the women’s board. Whiteside is preceded in death by Pearce Allen Whiteside, deceased in 1999, and William Truman Hardy, deceased in 2013. She is survived by two sons from her marriage to Bill Hardy — Kirk Hardy (Dylan) and Keith Hardy. She is survived by four stepchildren from her marriage to Pierce Whiteside, Kathy Swift, Chip (Pierce) Whiteside, Sue Smith and Bill Whiteside. She was blessed to have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Have someone’s life you’d like to honor? Email e.degrechie@22ndcenturymedia.com with information about a loved one who was part of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities.