Linda Louise Pratt

Linda Louise Pratt, 80, of Hanover, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2026. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 7, at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Hanover, at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 11a.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, in Hanover.

Born October 5, 1945, to Wilfred and Margaret (Virtue) Armstrong, Linda grew up in Hanover and graduated from Hanover High School with the Class of 1963. Determined and ambitious, she went on to earn a diploma in communications and personnel from the Personnel Training Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. Soon after, she accepted a position with Western Union in New York City; a decision that would change the course of her life.

One day, Linda was asked to pick up her close friend’s brother at Grand Central Station. She agreed without hesitation, unaware that this simple favor would lead her to the love of her life. That young man was Forrest E. “Butch” Pratt, Jr. The two were married on June 27, 1964, in Hanover, beginning a devoted marriage that would last until Butch’s passing in 2012.

For the first two decades of their marriage, Butch served in the U.S. Navy, and together they moved more than twenty times. Their three children were each born in different states, and through every transition Linda created a warm, steady home. She embraced the challenges of military life with grace, raising children, managing households, and taking on various jobs whenever opportunities arose.

When Butch retired from the Navy, the couple faced the question of where to plant their roots. Linda suggested they choose between her hometown of Hanover or Butch’s hometown of Neposet, leaving the final decision to him. Butch chose Hanover, drawn to the natural beauty of the area, and together they returned to the community that had shaped Linda’s early years.

Back home, Linda worked as a cook at The Distillery Restaurant and Bar in Hanover, then at JR’s in Elizabeth, before finishing her career at Eaton Corporation. She later retired to care for her aging mother, a commitment she honored with daily sacrifice, patience, and love.

Linda had a deep appreciation for family history and spent countless hours researching genealogy. She was a longtime member of the Hanover Presbyterian Church, where she faithfully served as treasurer for many years. Her service extended beyond the church; Linda dedicated 19 years as an EMT in both Hanover and Elizabeth.

She adored her grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. Some of her happiest days were spent riding in the car with Butch, exploring the countryside, visiting the river to watch the eagles, and revisiting places from her childhood. She loved sharing stories about how things used to be, sharing in the nostalgia with family and friends.