Dorothy Gartke

Dorothy Mae Gartke

Age 86 of Wilmington, passed away Friday morning December 7, 2012, at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet.

Dorothy was raised in Braidwood and worked as a seamstress at Grinchuck's Pants Factory in Braidwood prior to marriage. On December 11, 1943, she married Raymond W. Gartke, Jr. at Camp Van Dorn in Mississippi, and together they made their home in Wilmington. Dorothy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington and had a love for cooking, canning, gardening, and traveling. Dorothy was always there for her family and treasured being involved with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters: Sharon (Ted) Stallard of Wilmington and Barbara Gartke of Moline; two grandchildren: Jolynn (Roy) Sammons of Coal City and Tim (Sandi) Stallard of Wilmington; one great grandchild Rylan Stallard; one sister Loretta Maland of Coal City and three brothers-in-law: Robert Gartke, Roy Gartke and Gene Gartke.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 63 years: Raymond on July 16, 2007; sister Marie Arnold; brothers: Lawrence (Albina) Bettendorf, William (Lorraine) Sharp and Raymond (Anne) Sharp; brother-in-law Frank (Dorothy) Gartke, Sr.; sister-in-law: Megan (Glenn) Silvey and one nephew Frank Gartke, Jr.

Per the wishes of the family, all services were private and Dorothy was laid to rest with her late husband Raymond in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dorothy's memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 907 Luther Drive, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)