Meet your neighbor Linda Hartweg! Linda was born in Kankakee and grew up on a farm right outside of a small town called Papineau.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Laura Wilhite, The Quill
Meet your neighbor Linda Hartweg! Linda was born in Kankakee and grew up on a farm right outside of a small town called Papineau.
Linda has 3 siblings. An older sister who has passed away, a younger brother Fredrick, and a younger sister Amanda.
She went to high school in Iroquois County at a small school in Donovan and she will be celebrating her 50th Class Reunion next summer!
After high school Linda attended Illinois State University and received a Bachelors of Education in Music. Linda met her husband John while they were in school. \
Carol Geissler, a science teacher at Southeastern JH set her and John up on a blind date. Carol handed John an index card with Linda’s phone number on it and told him to call her.
Their wedding anniversary is Feb 10th. Linda and John have two children Carl and Caroline. Carl works at a hospital in Iowa City. He is married to Alyssa and they have two boys. Otto is 4, and Landon is 3 months.
Caroline is married to Jacob Calvin. She teaches third grade in Carthage. When Linda was asked to share a few favorite memories that she has with her family she stated, “It was nice being a teacher and having summers at home, but I spent a lot of time at school even in the summer preparing for band camp, and all the band activities.
“It was great always having them there. I also enjoyed the time we spent together camping and with the boat at the Mark Twain Lake. Also, 4 H fairs and livestock showing....I guess all summer, each summer we made memories!”.
When asked if Linda had any advice to share with parents she stated, “Read and sing to your children daily! Introduce them to music at a young age. Also, keep them off the screens! Allow them to be creative and imaginative!”
When asked about her career and favorite memories she had as a teacher she said, “My first teaching job was at Southeastern. I taught 5-12 grade band, and also had the high school choir.
“I loved teaching at a small school. I had always thought that small schools could have great music programs too!
“When Carl started school and I had to miss his 1st grade Christmas Concert because I had a concert the same night, that is when I decided it might be a good idea to teach in the same district.
“The job opened up at Carthage for a vocal teacher so I taught 1-12 grade vocal music. Then after a couple of years I had to help out in the instrumental music department, and then went back to doing band, with my high school choir.
“There really are too many favorite memories to speak of.....I enjoyed so much about my job.
“I enjoyed all the field shows and competitions, I enjoyed Pep Band, I loved the musicals, our trips to Florida, Disney, Chicago, etc were so fun....and I especially loved the students!
“I think that is why I enjoyed teaching so much!”
Linda is a farm girl at heart. She thoroughly enjoys living on their farm in Carthage.
They have 2 dogs, 7 cats, 1 horse, chickens, and cows. She enjoys working in the flowers around the house in the spring and summer. She enjoys doing puzzles, reading....and she likes music a little!