Linda L. Willenborg (86) of rural Teutopolis

Linda (Apke) Willenborg, age 86, of Teutopolis, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, December 30, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lillyville, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday at the church, with a rosary to follow. Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.

Linda was born on October 5, 1938, in Effingham, Illinois, the daughter of John and Lorraine (Vahling) Apke. Linda married the love of her life, the late Rueben Willenborg on August 24, 1957 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Teutopolis, IL. They were blessed with eleven children. She retired from St. Anthony Hospital as a switchboard operator in 2018 and was a farmwife. Linda was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lillyville where she was a part of the Women’s Sodality. Family was first for Linda, but she also was an avid baker and always had a cookie or dessert for everyone. She loved her flowers, especially her roses. She also occupied some of her free time reading and doing word searches. Linda was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Dean (Deb) Willenborg of Montrose, Donna (Ted) Westjohn of Montrose, Rick (LoriAnn) Willenborg of Teutopolis, Cheryl (Mark) Krueger of Clarksville, TN, Kristy (Don) Wendt of Sigel, Jeanie (Scott) Summers of Frisco, TX, Lori (Phil – Deceased) Walk; Fiancé Scott Long of Neoga, Brad (Kathy) Willenborg of Farina, Jodi (Mike) Krampe of Sigel, Kari (Jack) Bierman of Jewett, Beth (Chris) Skaggs of Fort Myers, FL. Her 32 grandchildren, Cody, Kyle, Erin, Sara, Leah, Keli, Laci, Abbi, Eric, Lee, Lindsay, Lyle, Stephanie, Ryan, Travis, Jennifer, Jared, Mikaela, Ellie, Emmalyn, Paige, Meghan, Cole, Mariah, Jacob, Kelby, Kaleb, Jadyn, Peyton, Evan & Alaina. Seven step-grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, two new great-grandchildren expected soon, and 13 step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Laverne Apke, sister Janie (Bill) Probst; sister-in-law Martha (Earl) Bushue.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Troy Westjohn, son-in-law Phil Walk, brother Donald Apke, and in-laws Louis and Emma Willenborg.