H0114
The study's number for this person. Cite it and it will always lead here, whatever the spelling.Katherine Worek
Born at Joliet in 1925 and died at Will County in 2014.
born 1 Aug 1925 at Joliet, Will died 23 Nov 2014 at Will County, Illinois
Life story
Hacker Avenue
Katherine Worek was born in Joliet, Will County, Illinois, on 1 August 1925, the youngest child of Martin Worek and Margaret (Margarita) Senkowska, Polish immigrants from the village of Wesoła in Galicia. At her baptism that November she was entered by the Latin form of her name, Catharina.1 She was known as Kate as a child and as Kay in later life.2–3
In April 1930 Kate, five, was the baby of the family in her parents' own house at 209 Hacker Avenue, with her brothers Stanley, Andrew and Joseph and her sisters Julia and Mary; her father worked in the merchant mill of a Joliet steel works.2 He died in September 1932, when she was seven.4 In 1940, at fourteen, she was living with her widowed mother at 1109 Harrison Street, with Stanley, Andrew and Joseph.5
A lifelong Joliet woman
Katherine spent her whole life in Joliet. She married Joseph Jankola, and for thirty-five years she worked for Gerlach & Barklow Printing. She was a member of the former SS. Cyril and Methodius Church.3
She outlived her husband and all her brothers and sisters but Joseph. Katherine "Kay" Jankola died at Silver Cross Hospital on Sunday, 23 November 2014, at the age of eighty-nine, survived by her brother Joseph and by nieces, nephews and cousins. Her funeral was set for the following Wednesday, with a Mass at the SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Chapel and burial in SS. Cyril's Cemetery.3
What we know
Proven
- Birth at Joliet, 1925
- Baptism at Joliet, 1925
- Occupation, 2014
- Death at Will County, 2014
- Burial at Will County, 2014
- 2 homes, from the census and other records
What's still open
- Marriage. Her husband, Joseph Jankola, died before her; the date and place of their marriage (probably Joliet, after 1940) have not been found.
- Sources. com) was read; the baptism and census facts are from indexes, and those images have not been viewed.
Sources
Source 1
1 Illinois, U.S., Catholic Diocese of Joliet, 1925
"Illinois, U.S., Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Sacramental Records, 1800–1979," database with images, Ancestry.com, baptism index entry: Catharina Worek, born 1 August 1925, baptised 29 November 1925; parents Martinus and Margarita [Worek] (index only; the register image and its parish not read).
Sources 2–3
2 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, E.D. 48, sheet 5A, dwelling 70, family 78, 209 Hacker Avenue: "Kate Worek" (daughter, 5) in the household of Martin Worek (head, 50, born Poland; home owned, value $2,500; "mechant [merchant] mill", steel mill), with Margaret (wife, 44, born Poland) and their children Stanly (19), Andrew (17), Julia (15), Mary (12) and Joseph (7); FHL microfilm 2340304; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).
3 Katherine Jankola, 2014
"Katherine Jankola," obituary, The Herald-News (Joliet, Illinois), 25 November 2014, p. 16: Katherine "Kay" Jankola (Worek), 89 years, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014, at Silver Cross Hospital; survived by one brother, Joseph Worek of Joliet, and nieces, nephews and cousins; preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jankola, her parents, Martin and Margaret Worek, two brothers, Stanley (late Irene) and Andrew (late Helen) Worek, two sisters, Julia (late Frank) Bahor and Mary Farnsworth, and one nephew, Dan Bahor; born in Joliet and a lifelong resident; an employee of Gerlach & Barklow Printing for 35 years; a member of the former SS. Cyril & Methodius Church; funeral Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from the Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd., to the SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Chapel for Mass, interment SS. Cyril's Cemetery; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/182282970), read 27 September 2026. Indexed in "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s–current," Ancestry.com (Katherine Jankola, maiden name Worek).
Source 4
4 Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1932
"Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947," database, Ancestry.com, Martin Worek, died 27 September 1932, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; born 11 November 1881, Poland; age 50; laborer; married; spouse Margaret Worek; burial 30 September 1932, Holy Cross [Cemetery], Joliet; FHL microfilm 1684557.
Source 5
5 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet
1940 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, E.D. 99-62, sheet 11A, household 161, 1109 Harrison [Street], owned, value $2,000: Katherine Worek (daughter, 14) in the household of Margaret Worek (head, 48, widowed, born Poland, alien; dishwasher), with her sons Stanley (29), Andrew (28) and Joseph (18; Civilian Conservation Corps); roll m-t0627-00908; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).
More sources are in the evidence below.
Life in time
1 Aug 1925
Birth , Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States
How we know
Born to Martin and Margaret Worek. The date is in the index of her baptism four months later; the town is in her obituary.
The Catholic Diocese of Joliet baptism index gives Catharina Worek, born 1 Aug 1925, daughter of Martinus and Margarita Worek. Her obituary says she was born in Joliet and was 89 at her death in Nov 2014, which fits; her ages in 1930 (5) and 1940 (14) fit too.
29 Nov 1925
Baptism , Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States
How we know
As "Catharina" Worek, daughter of Martinus and Margarita. Index only: the parish and the register image have not been read; probably Holy Cross, the family's parish.
The Catholic Diocese of Joliet baptism index. Her birth date and her parents' names identify her.
1930
Residence , Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States
How we know
209 Hacker Avenue (E.D. 48, sheet 5A, dwelling 70, family 78), her parents' own house. "Kate", daughter, 5, the youngest of six children.
Her parents Martin and Margaret and her brothers and sisters identify the household. The index was read; the image has not been viewed.
1940
Residence , Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States
How we know
1109 Harrison [Street] (E.D. 99-62, sheet 11A, household 161), her widowed mother's house. Daughter, 14, with her brothers Stanley, Andrew and Joseph.
Her mother Margaret, widow, heads the household, with the brothers of the 1930 census. The index was read; the image has not been viewed.
before 23 Nov 2014
Occupation
How we know
An employee of Gerlach & Barklow Printing for 35 years (obituary).
Her obituary. The years of her employment are not stated.
23 Nov 2014
Death , Will County, Illinois, United States
How we know
At Silver Cross Hospital, on a Sunday; aged 89. The obituary names no town: the hospital had moved from Joliet to New Lenox, Will County, in 2012.
Her obituary in the Joliet Herald-News of 25 Nov 2014 (image read) gives the date and the hospital and names her parents, Martin and Margaret Worek, her husband, Joseph Jankola, and all her brothers and sisters.
26 Nov 2014
Burial , Will County, Illinois, United States
How we know
SS. Cyril's Cemetery [SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery], after a funeral Mass at the SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Chapel; Tezak Funeral Home, Joliet. The date is that of the funeral as announced.
The obituary announces the funeral for Wednesday [26 Nov 2014] at 10 a.m. from the Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, to the cemetery chapel for Mass, with interment in SS. Cyril's Cemetery. No burial record or memorial has been seen.
-
1925 Birth
Born to Martin and Margaret Worek. The date is in the index of her baptism four months later; the town is in her obituary.
The Catholic Diocese of Joliet baptism index gives Catharina Worek, born 1 Aug 1925, daughter of Martinus and Margarita Worek. Her obituary says she was born in Joliet and was 89 at her death in Nov 2014, which fits; her ages in 1930 (5) and 1940 (14) fit too.
-
1925 Baptism
As "Catharina" Worek, daughter of Martinus and Margarita. Index only: the parish and the register image have not been read; probably Holy Cross, the family's parish.
The Catholic Diocese of Joliet baptism index. Her birth date and her parents' names identify her.
Source 1
-
1930 Residence
209 Hacker Avenue (E.D. 48, sheet 5A, dwelling 70, family 78), her parents' own house. "Kate", daughter, 5, the youngest of six children.
Her parents Martin and Margaret and her brothers and sisters identify the household. The index was read; the image has not been viewed.
Source 2
-
1940 Residence
1109 Harrison [Street] (E.D. 99-62, sheet 11A, household 161), her widowed mother's house. Daughter, 14, with her brothers Stanley, Andrew and Joseph.
Her mother Margaret, widow, heads the household, with the brothers of the 1930 census. The index was read; the image has not been viewed.
Source 5
-
2014 Occupation
An employee of Gerlach & Barklow Printing for 35 years (obituary).
Her obituary. The years of her employment are not stated.
Source 3
-
2014 Death
At Silver Cross Hospital, on a Sunday; aged 89. The obituary names no town: the hospital had moved from Joliet to New Lenox, Will County, in 2012.
Her obituary in the Joliet Herald-News of 25 Nov 2014 (image read) gives the date and the hospital and names her parents, Martin and Margaret Worek, her husband, Joseph Jankola, and all her brothers and sisters.
Source 3
-
2014 Burial
SS. Cyril's Cemetery [SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery], after a funeral Mass at the SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Chapel; Tezak Funeral Home, Joliet. The date is that of the funeral as announced.
The obituary announces the funeral for Wednesday [26 Nov 2014] at 10 a.m. from the Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, to the cemetery chapel for Mass, with interment in SS. Cyril's Cemetery. No burial record or memorial has been seen.
Source 3
- proven
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Places in this life
2 places, in order- 1 Joliet, Will County Birth 1 Aug 1925 · Baptism 29 Nov 1925 · Residence 1930 · 1 more
- 2 Will County, Illinois Death 23 Nov 2014 · Burial 26 Nov 2014
Hollow markers are placed approximately, at the town, county or region.
Family
Records
Search the archive →Deaths and burials
- 25 Nov 2014 confirmed Obituary “Katherine "Kay" Jankola (Worek)” Joliet, Will County Newspapers.com · O06310
The evidence 7 facts with their grades, 5 sources, and the research notes
Facts
| Fact | Date | Place | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1 Aug 1925 | Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States | proven | 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 |
| Baptism | 29 Nov 1925 | Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States | proven | 1 |
| Residence | 1930 | Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States | proven | 2 |
| Residence | 1940 | Joliet, Will, Illinois, United States | proven | 5 |
| Occupation | before 23 Nov 2014 | proven | 3 | |
| Death | 23 Nov 2014 | Will County, Illinois, United States | proven | 3 |
| Burial | 26 Nov 2014 | Will County, Illinois, United States | proven | 3 |
Research notes
- Identity: (1) The Joliet diocese index gives Catharina Worek, born 1 Aug 1925, daughter of Martinus and Margarita.1 (2) "Kate", 5, in 1930 and Katherine, 14, in 1940 are the youngest daughter of Martin and Margaret Worek.2, 5 (3) Her obituary gives Katherine "Kay" Jankola (Worek), born in Joliet, 89, daughter of Martin and Margaret Worek, and names all five of her brothers and sisters: Joseph, Stanley, Andrew, Julia (Bahor) and Mary (Farnsworth).3
- Death place: The obituary says only "at Silver Cross Hospital". Silver Cross Hospital moved from Joliet to New Lenox, Will County, in 2012, so she very probably died at New Lenox; the county is recorded here.3 An Illinois death certificate (restricted) or the Social Security claims index would confirm it.
- Burial: "SS. Cyril's Cemetery" in the obituary is SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery, the cemetery of the Joliet parish; the burial date is taken from the announced funeral (Wednesday, 26 Nov 2014). No Find a Grave memorial or burial record has been read.3
- Marriage: Her husband, Joseph Jankola, died before her; the date and place of their marriage (probably Joliet, after 1940) have not been found. The obituary names no children.3
- The family in 2014: The obituary says her brothers Stanley and Andrew had married Irene and Helen, and her sister Julia had married Frank Bahor, all then dead, and that a nephew, Dan Bahor, had died before her; her brother Joseph was then living in Joliet.3
- Earlier treatment: Until this obituary was read (27 Sep 2026), the study treated her as possibly living and kept a private minimal record.
- Sources: The obituary image (Newspapers.com) was read; the baptism and census facts are from indexes, and those images have not been viewed.
Working notes
- Kate in 1930, Katherine in 1940; no death found, treated as possibly living
- Old tree 165462681: obituary index, Herald News (Joliet) 25 Nov 2014 (61843/655934627): d. 23 Nov 2014 Joliet; husband Joseph Jankola (H0333)
- DECEASED: obituary, Herald News (Joliet) 25 Nov 2014 (image read): d. 23 Nov 2014 at Silver Cross Hospital; b. Joliet; names parents Martin and Margaret and all siblings; husband Joseph Jankola (H0333) predeceased her
Sources
- 1
"Illinois, U.S., Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Sacramental Records, 1800–1979," database with images, Ancestry.com, baptism index entry: Catharina Worek, born 1 August 1925, baptised 29 November 1925; parents Martinus and Margarita [Worek] (index only; the register image and its parish not read).
- 2
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, E.D. 48, sheet 5A, dwelling 70, family 78, 209 Hacker Avenue: "Kate Worek" (daughter, 5) in the household of Martin Worek (head, 50, born Poland; home owned, value $2,500; "mechant [merchant] mill", steel mill), with Margaret (wife, 44, born Poland) and their children Stanly (19), Andrew (17), Julia (15), Mary (12) and Joseph (7); FHL microfilm 2340304; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).
- 3
"Katherine Jankola," obituary, The Herald-News (Joliet, Illinois), 25 November 2014, p. 16: Katherine "Kay" Jankola (Worek), 89 years, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014, at Silver Cross Hospital; survived by one brother, Joseph Worek of Joliet, and nieces, nephews and cousins; preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jankola, her parents, Martin and Margaret Worek, two brothers, Stanley (late Irene) and Andrew (late Helen) Worek, two sisters, Julia (late Frank) Bahor and Mary Farnsworth, and one nephew, Dan Bahor; born in Joliet and a lifelong resident; an employee of Gerlach & Barklow Printing for 35 years; a member of the former SS. Cyril & Methodius Church; funeral Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from the Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd., to the SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery Chapel for Mass, interment SS. Cyril's Cemetery; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/182282970), read 27 September 2026. Indexed in "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s–current," Ancestry.com (Katherine Jankola, maiden name Worek).
- 4
"Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947," database, Ancestry.com, Martin Worek, died 27 September 1932, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; born 11 November 1881, Poland; age 50; laborer; married; spouse Margaret Worek; burial 30 September 1932, Holy Cross [Cemetery], Joliet; FHL microfilm 1684557.
- 5
1940 U.S. Federal Census, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, E.D. 99-62, sheet 11A, household 161, 1109 Harrison [Street], owned, value $2,000: Katherine Worek (daughter, 14) in the household of Margaret Worek (head, 48, widowed, born Poland, alien; dishwasher), with her sons Stanley (29), Andrew (28) and Joseph (18; Civilian Conservation Corps); roll m-t0627-00908; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).