Eva Kadden Kripke
July 21, 1932 - June 12, 2025
Memorial Contributions
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603
sales.artic.edu/donate
or
Care for Friends
530 West Fullerton Parkway
Chicago, Illinois 60614
careforfriends.org/donations/new
or
National Council of Jewish Women
Attn: Development Department
2055 L Street, Northwest, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036
www.ncjw.org/act/action/donate
or
To An Organization Of Your Choice.
OBITUARY
Eva Kadden Kripke died June 12, 2025, in Chicago. She was 92.
Eve was born in Herne, Germany. She came to the United States in 1936, thanks to the courageous efforts of her parents, Hildegard and Edgar Kadden. They settled on Chicago’s southside. Eve graduated from South Shore High School and attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she met her husband, Sidney Kripke.
Over 66 years of marriage, the couple lived in a variety of places, primarily Iowa City IA (where she received a master’s degree in psychology), Toledo OH (Sid’s hometown) and eventually Chicago. In Iowa and Ohio, Eva had a successful career as a high school guidance counselor, while staying active in professional and community organizations.
Eve and Sid moved to Chicago after retirement in 2004. They loved Chicago, especially the beautiful views of Lake Michigan from their apartment. Sadly, not long after, Sid developed dementia. While devoted to Sid’s care, Eve also attended support groups, where she befriended other women who had spouses with dementia. In addition, she volunteered at The Art Institute of Chicago. In 2017, she relocated to The Clare in downtown Chicago, eager to meet new people.
Throughout her long life, Eve was a fighter. She fought to belong, to be heard, to make her opinions known, to challenge injustice. In her later years, she wrestled with the loss of her husband and valiantly battled the loss of her sight and mobility. Her inherent feistiness was her signature - and a factor in sustaining her long life.
Eve was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by three children: Susan (Jeff), David (Felicia) and Dan; four grandchildren: Alex, Amy (Dan), Morgan and Erin, and a new great grandson Jackson; as well as cousins Alan Mendel and Stephen Mendel.
The family is extremely grateful for the compassion and care provided by Eva’s primary caregiver Michelle. We also acknowledge Eve’s special advocate (Janina) and long-term caregivers (Princess and Liza), as well as the teams at The Clare and Unity Hospice.
Memorials preferred to The Art Institute of Chicago, sales.artic.edu/donate or Care for Friends, careforfriends.org/donations/new/ or National Council of Jewish Women, www.ncjw.org/act/action/donate/ or to an organization of your choice.
Private graveside service held in Toledo, OH.
Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com