Linda Suppelsa, 75, Mom of WGN Newscaster Mark Suppelsa, Dies from MS

Linda Ann Suppelsa | Family photo

Linda Ann Suppelsa, mother of WGN newscast Mark Suppelsa, died from complications due to Multiple Sclerosis on Nov. 13 at the Garden View Care Center, in St. Louis, Mo. She was 75.

A memorial Mass is planned for noon Friday, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Evanston.

Born Linda Ann Burkett on Dec. 28, 1939 in Waukegan to Chester and Bernice Burkett, Linda was an active young woman during her school years, especially when attending Waukegan High School.

She played piano for the school chorus, cheered on the high school’s sports teams as a cheerleader, and enjoyed ice skating on the pond with her sister, June, across the street from their house on Buttrick Street.

Linda went on to attend college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she met her future husband, Gene Suppelsa, who also attended the college. They married in 1961 and soon had three children while residing in Milwaukee.

Soon after their marriage, Linda began suffering from symptoms she later learned were the onset of the disease, Multiple Sclerosis. She fought through the disease to work various jobs including part-time teaching and raising her children, Mark, Sherri and Scott.

Linda is survived by her children, WGN newscaster Mark Suppelsa and his wife, Candus; Sherri Suppelsa; and Scott Suppelsa and his wife, Heidi, and her grandchildren, Matthew Suppelsa, Ava Suppelsa, Eli Suppelsa and Maya Suppelsa.

A memorial service is planned for noon Friday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1012 Lake St, Evanston.

Linda was a dedicated member of the Orland Park MS Support Group, where she often found friends and comfort.

“This group really made a difference to her during some of her toughest times with MS,” her children wrote on an MS tribute page. “ In her old address book, one can find many references to the people she found at this chapter.”

In lieu of flowers, her children suggest donations be made to Walk MS South Suburbs 2016, where a donations page has been set up for Linda Suppelsa. Donations in Linda’s name may also be mailed to the National MS Society, 525 W. Monroe St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661.