Linda Hulke

Date of Birth

Sep 12,1945

Date of Death

Nov 17,2017

Linda L. Hulke, age 72, of Kingston, IL, passed away Friday afternoon, November 17, 2017.
She was born on September 12, 1945, to proud parents Norman and Grace (Fitts) Smith, in Elgin, IL.
Linda grew up in Elgin where she attended local schools. She graduated from Elgin High School with the class of 1963.
Linda met the love of her life in John Hulke. As the story goes, Linda was in a car with a group of girls, which of course caught the eye of John and he set out to learn a little more about those lovely ladies. John was a consummate gentleman, (which may have been encouraged by the fact that Linda’s dad was a Lieutenant with the Elgin Police) and before long there weren’t just holding hands, they held each other’s hearts as well. They were married December 2, 1967 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elgin. They made their new beginning in the Elgin area, but eventually settled in Kingston in 2005, where they continued to make memories with their children and grandchildren.
Following graduation, Linda worked at Playskool in Hampshire, IL for a time, and later held a few part time jobs, but all her time and love were dedicated to her family.
Linda was a member of the Burlington Hampshire Food Pantry and helped organize The CROP Walk. In addition, she was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where she also dedicated time to the Ladies Aid Committee and was past president of the Human Care Committee.
Linda enjoyed filling her free time with decorating cakes and making literally hundreds of crafts. Her hands were rarely idle, so if she ever set down her crotchet needles, Linda busied herself in the kitchen making all her best recipes. In later years, both John and she would hop into the motor home and travel across the U.S. making memories with every mile. Most often the trips surrounded family events, but there were a few that became her favorite. Once a month, Linda and John would meet their childhood friends for lunch at various places in the community for lunch and to reminisce. As long as she was surrounded by friends and family, she was happy. Even in the hospital, when Linda had trouble breathing, she never stopped talking and making friends with the nurses. No one left a conversation with Linda without leaving as a friend.
She is survived by her loving husband of almost 50 years, John Hulke; one daughter, Michelle (Tim) Meyers; two grandchildren: Travis Meyers and Cristopher (Torah) Meyers; her Goddaughter, Denise Becker; a Godson, Cameron Luhman; three sisters: Helen (Steve) Westfall, Judy (Neil) Diefenbach and Jeanne (Jane Trotta) Smith; many nieces, nephews and a community of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Grace Smith; one son Michael Hulke and her mother and father-in-law, William and Myrtle Hulke.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Rd., Hampshire, IL. A funeral to celebrate her faith will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m., also at the church. Interment will follow at North Plato Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Linda’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Linda Hulke Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral to celebrate her faith will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 22, with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m., also at the church.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Rd., Hampshire, IL.

North Plato Cemetery (Note: The cemetery is directly across the street from the church. It is very small with severely limited parking. Many family and friends will be waling to and from the cemetery following the service.)

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