Linda Chalus, age 77 of Utica, IL, died Thursday morning, September 16, at her farm home in Utica, IL. She was the daughter of the late Porter and Myrna (Sebby) Arneson, born March 21, 1944 in Sandwich, IL. She grew up in Sheridan, IL with two brothers, Paul and Dwight. She attended Sheridan Grade School and graduated from Serena High School in 1962.
A private service will take place at Waltham Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park.
A “Celebration of Life” for Linda Chalus will be held on the Chalus Farm (1045 E US Highway 6, Utica, IL 61373) on Sunday, September 19th from 12-5PM. All are welcome. Funeral arrangements are with Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
On June 1, 1963, she married her husband, Ron, where they began living and loving a lifetime dream of raising a family on the home farm in Utica Township. She is survived by her husband Ron of 58 years, her brothers Paul Arneson (Francie) of Chatsworth, California and Dwight (Peggy) Arneson of Sheridan, Illinois. Also surviving are three daughters, Robin (Tim) Leonard of Spring Green, Wisconsin, Debbie (Rick) Hayne of Marseilles, Illinois and Melissa (Michael) Dapkus of Homer Glen, Illinois.
Grandchildren- Brent (Sidney) Leonard of Spring Green, WI. Paige Leonard (Noah) of Boulder, CO. Dayne Leonard of Spring Green, WI. Kelsey Hayne and Jordan Hayne of St. Charles, MO. Christopher Dapkus of St. John, IN. Zachary Dapkus and Morgan Dapkus of Homer Glen, IL.
She was preceded in death by her father, Porter and her mother, Myrna.
Linda and her husband were former 4-H leaders, former leaders and officers of the LaSalle County Pork Producers, and she was an active supporter of the Ottawa High School Booster Club of which she was made a lifetime member. She was a member and supporter of all programs at the Waltham Presbyterian Church and an active member of the Waltham Presbyterian Women.
On the family farm, Linda was an avid gardener and could often be found taking care of the yard. She loved raising her three beautiful daughters and taking care of the household on the farm. She also became well known for her professional sewing abilities and had a hand in many of the alterations for the local proms, homecomings, weddings, etc. She sincerely and dearly loved her customers and would often ask for a hug once their alterations were finished. Although she kept very busy throughout the year, when harvest time rolled around, you could find Linda in her John Deere combine harvesting corn and soybeans. She absolutely loved working with Ron during harvest.
If you know Linda, you may have been to the farm for a visit and/or garden walk, to the Chalus Barn for a High School reunion, a Christmas Under the Cross, a wedding anniversary, a wedding, or possibly a Sunday morning church service.
Linda had a love for anything that involved her children and grandchildren. Her support along with her husband for her favorite baseball team (The Chicago White Sox) and her love of following the Ottawa High School basketball teams to every game they could each season. She also loved being in Kingman Gym and watching the games from their seats in the West balcony.
She was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.