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Anne Grall Reichel, age 72 of Lincolnshire, IL entered into eternal rest on January 20, 2026.
Anne was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her parents Patrick Joseph Grall and Mary (Preen) Grall predeceased her. She was the loving and devoted wife of 46 years to Jack Reichel. She is survived by her husband Jack Reichel, her son Patrick Reichel of LaGrange Park, Illinois, her daughter-in-law Kristen Reichel and her grandchildren Jackson, Emmeline Anne, and Charlotte.
Anne’s sisters Patricia Hamilton and the Honorable Jane Grall, brothers Thomas A. Grall, Sr. and Gene Grall, and sister-in-law Linda Grall predeceased her. She is survived by her sister Mary Grace Killmer and husband John of Spring Lake, New Jersey. Anne is also survived by her sister- in-law Margaret Grall of San Diego, California, brother-in-law the Honorable Edward M. Neafsey of Avon By The Sea, New Jersey, brother-in-law David Reichel of Houston, Texas and many nieces and nephews.
Anne was kind and caring to everyone in her life. She loved her family and cherished her friendships. Anne was a dedicated wife, mother, and gram. Anne enjoyed precious time with her grandchildren, long walks with her husband and found solace in writing and gardening. She loved time in the woods and visits to the lakefront.
Anne was a passionate educator. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as a science educator and teacher of teachers. Anne specialized in science curriculum development and the professional development of outstanding teachers. Anne taught a wide range of students throughout the years from first grade to the graduate level. She continued to love her journey in education and never fully retired.
Anne earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on teaching for conceptual integration. Anne served as an adjunct faculty member at both Lake Forest College and National-Louis University. She served as Science Coordinator for the Lake County Regional Office of Education. Under Anne’s direction the first Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS site was established in Lake County, IL. She also established the Lake County Alliance for Science to support elementary teachers in the teaching of science.
Anne served as the Director of Teacher Services for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Under her leadership a Museum Partnership Program was developed to support Chicago teachers in earning science endorsements.
Anne authored two books. The first, Expect More: Children Can Do Remarkable Things encouraged both teachers and parents to focus on nurturing critical thinking and problem solving skills with an emphasis upon science and social science applications. Her second book, The United Forest of Kind was a children’s book. Anne wrote her message of kindness because she believed kindness was desperately needed in our turbulent world. She believed that acts of kindness required strength, integrity and a strong sense of self.
Visitation Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 3:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Funeral Friday, January 30, 2026 Mass 10 A.M. at St Francis Xavier Church, Corner of Spring & Ogden, La Grange, IL 60525.
Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the Guestbook and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Anne Reichel Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
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