Jane Edith Kiep, age 86, of Elmhurst, loving mother of Anne Kiep (Gordon) Johnson of Elmhurst and Robert J. (Maggie Westdale) Kiep, and doting grandmother of five grandchildren, died peacefully on Saturday. She was married to Richard P. Kiep for 57 years before his passing seven years ago, in 2018.
Jane was born in April 26, 1938, in LaGrange, and attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, where her future husband also matriculated. She graduated from St. Mary’s College of Notre
Dame, Indiana, a women’s liberal arts college. Jane remained active in education through the American Association of University Women (AAUW) charity, providing scholarships to women
and conducting book sales and fundraisers to support women in education.
She was also active in the Arts in Education where she helped interpret art in school classrooms. Jane was a member of the Art Institute of Chicago through which she and her husband often took
international tours, traveling abroad on cultural visits. Jane most recently resided at The Roosevelt at Salt Creek, 400 W. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst, for independent living and memory care, where she entertained her neighbors and played bridge with the residents.
Jane also worked as a writer and editor at Prairie Farmer magazine, publishing since 1841, the longest running title serving Illinois farm communities. It is published in St. Charles, Illinois.
Jane was a community-builder in Elmhurst. She leaves behind her two children, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, William King Simpson and Catherine (Rooney) Simpson of Oak Brook and LaGrange. She was also preceded in death by her two loving and devoted sisters, Barbara Simpson Stumm (James), of San Diego, and Virginia Simpson Smith (Jere) of McLean, Va.
Friends and Family will meet Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst, where Jane was a member over 50 years. Interment following St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery where Jane will be laid to rest next to her husband Dick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Parish, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com