A memorial service for Drusilla Ruth (Hickisch) Linnell, 86, of Palatine is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Palatine Senior Center at 505 S. Quentin Rd.
Drusilla was born in LaCrosse, Wi in 1926 to Adolph and Isabelle Hickisch, the youngest of three siblings. She loved being a homemaker, always caring for family as her first priority. Gardening and preserving food and being in nature gave her great joy. Her creativity found many outlets. She was a successful writer, serving as reporter, editor and columnist for regional newspapers in Cook County and Ogle County, where her writing earned a number of Mate E. Palmer Awards from the Illinois Women’s press Association. She worked in public relations and marketing for Highland Community College and later for Greater Downtown Freeport where she founded Tutty Baker Days. As an antiques dealer she loved to research, and became widely knowledgeable about collectables. A proud accomplishment was working with her husband to restore an 1840s brick house that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They lived there until her husband’s death in 2005. They both enjoyed a motor home and spent their retirement exploring the wonders of the United States in it, as well as discovering their “roots”. Her whimsical sense of humor enlivened all she did. She made the world a more beautiful place.
Drusilla is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Hickisch, and sister, Arline Constance Felix; and her beloved husband of 56 years, Richard Raymond Linnell. Drusilla is survived by two daughters: Pamela Joyce Linnell of Barnett, Vermont and Daphne Renee’ Rawls (Michael) of Palatine, Illinois; two grandchildren: Nicholas Jacob Rawls (Erica) of Champaign, Illinois and Brittany Cecelia Rawls of Palatine, Illinois.
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Drusilla Ruth (Hickisch) Linnell, 86, of Palatine, formerly of Orangeville, Il, passed away on Friday, Aug. 24.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be sent to the Disabled Veterans of America in Drusilla’s name.
