SR0746 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0746 LRB101 14631 ALS 63542 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of LaVerne Ferdinand "Vern" Linnenkamp of Silvis, who passed away on September 30, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Vern Linnenkamp was born in Sigourney, Iowa to Raymond and Margaret (Wagner) Linnenkamp on January 26, 1932; he served in the United States Army during the Korean War; he graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa; he married Rose Marie Collatz on November 22, 1956; they had 12 children; he married Karen (Holden) Eastep on December 20, 1985; they had one child together; and

WHEREAS, While working as a social worker in St. Louis, Missouri, Vern Linnenkamp discovered his calling to help others; in 1961, he moved with his family to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a personnel specialist for the federal government and assisted veterans; and

WHEREAS, After retiring, Vern Linnenkamp moved to the Quad Cities, where he helped others through his lawn care business; he volunteered for many causes; he established the Facebook group, Speak Up Boldly; he was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in East Moline, where he sang in the choir; he enjoyed camping, traveling, and the most important thing in his life, his family; and

WHEREAS, Vern Linnenkamp was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen; and his siblings, John Linnenkamp, Mary Donahue, and Sarah Quinn; and

WHEREAS, Vern Linnenkamp is survived by his children, Dominic (Jill) Linnenkamp, John (Kelly) Linnenkamp, Delores Linnenkamp, Clare (Donald) Dobbins, Damien (Rose) Linnenkamp, Joseph (Rita) Linnenkamp, Carole (Eddie) Feldkamp, Theodore (Tonya) Linnenkamp, Gerianne (Walter) Fraddosio, Mary (Chris) Knotts, Nicholas (Jennifer) Linnenkamp, Chris Linnen, and Lisa (Megan) Irey; his bonus daughter, Erica Brooks; 25 grandchildren; two bonus grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his siblings, James (Marlene) Linnenkamp, Sister Catherine Linnenkamp, Donald Linnenkamp, and Donna Fiems; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of LaVerne Ferdinand "Vern" Linnenkamp and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Vern Linnenkamp as an expression of our deepest sympathy.