Elisabeth "Liz" (Konig) Hooks

Elisabeth Hooks a Randolph resident and former, longtime resident of Arlington Heights, IL died on Thursday, June 5th, 2025.

Elisabeth "Liz" Hedwig Hooks (König) was born on December 2, 1936, in Göppingen-Germany of Emil and Rosa (Bauer) König.

Liz first met her best friend and love of her life Allen "Al" during a chance encounter at a pizza parlor in Chicago. They fell in love and were married on December 1, 1962. They first lived in Macomb, IL as Al finished college. As their love story continued, they moved back to Chicago living on the North side off Kedvale Avenue. They welcomed two children, daughter Susan Kay and son Douglas Allen. They moved to Arlington Heights in 1970 where they bought their first home and spent the rest of their lives until Al’s passing in 2021. Most of Liz’s remaining years were spent showered in love in Randolph, NJ at her daughter Susan’s family home.

Liz kept her German family and roots close to her heart her whole life, something she instilled into her children & grandchildren. She grew up in Göppingen-Germany, a town in the beautiful southern part of the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Wurttemberg. Liz was a proud confirmand and member of the Oberhofenkirche (church), the second oldest building in the city dating back to 1436. She attended the local schools, dance school and remained there until she was 19 years old.  Taking a chance on herself and a new life in America, she crossed the Atlantic on a ship to New York accompanied by her trunk and a dream. Landing first in Albany, NY in 1956 speaking mainly German, she lived with the Bauer Family. Soon after, moved to the Chicago area to live with the Henricks Family relatives. Liz got her GED and a business certificate. With that in hand and a fearless knack for working hard, she began her professional life locally at Bruning.  Her successful career in accounting included Union 76 (Unocal), Madeleine Fashion and Zurich North America until her subsequent retirement.

Growing up, Liz enjoyed hiking, cross-country skiing, and dancing. Dance was a passion she carried her whole life. She was even offered to work for Arthur Murray.  A twirl with her loving husband Al was always something to behold. Her love of dance was not to be outdone by her flair for fashion, which began at an early age being named the White Rose Queen at the Western IL Sig-Tau formal. She also loved being outdoors, as evidenced by her passion for working in the garden and enjoying days at Diamond Lake Beach with all her family. With a knack for creativity, she was quite an artist, known for drawing beautiful flower scenes and creating many birthday cards designed from scratch. An amazing cook, needless to say Liz never used a written recipe for the countless meals she provided for family and friends. She married into being a huge Chicago Bears fan and was always donned in team gear each game day. Faith always remained close to her heart as she enjoyed being a life-long member of Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, IL. Liz had no greater joy in life than being a mom, raising her family, and paying this forward to her five grandchildren as “Omi”.  She enjoyed countless trips with family including visits to Europe, Disney World, and New Jersey. Her fierce devotion to all things family remained at her core her whole life until she died peacefully in her New Jersey home, family by her side on the evening of June 5th.

She is survived by her children, Susan (Steven) Wigdor and Douglas (Deborah) Hooks; grandchildren, Nicole and Michael Wigdor, Abigail, Caroline, and William Hooks; sister-in-law, Karen (Richard) Coulter; nieces, Christine (the late Michael) Beranek and Beth (Edison) Cruz.

A celebration of life is planned in New Jersey on Saturday July 26, 3:00pm, at 14 Olde York Road in Randolph.  Please arrive between 2:30 - 2:45pm and RSVP as soon as possible to Sue at 973-219-2667 for dinner head count.  Thank You.

  A memorial service and burial are to be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 East Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, on August 16.   Visitation will be held 10-11am, service 11-11:30 and burial 11:30-12

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the NIA - National Institute of Aging, the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude Children's Hospital.  Information can be found below in the Donations section.

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