Barbara Jean Mathisen

Barbara Jean Mathisen

Barbara Jean Mathisen, 68, of Arlington Heights, passed away peacefully at home Feb. 3, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.

Barbara was born Sept. 6, 1956, in Evanston, IL, to Herman Leonard Kuk and Lilah Arlys Engelien. She attended Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bethesda Lutheran School in Chicago and graduated from Luther North High School in 1974. Barbara earned a BS degree, cum laude, from Northern Illinois University in 1978, an MBA degree, With Distinction, from DePaul University in 1986 and a JD degree from John Marshall Law School in 2002. Barbara was a member of the American Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Association of Health Care Attorneys, and the international legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi.

Barbara retired from IBM Corp. with more than 30 years of service, after which she worked in the Risk Management Department at Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH). She volunteered with the Willow Creek Care Center-Legal Aid Clinic, The Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, and the John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Clinic. With her Great Dane "Ice" she brought love and encouragement to patients through the Animal Assisted Therapy Program at NCH. Barbara was active in her church, participating in ministries for widows and grief support.

Barbara married U.S. Navy veteran Christie Lew Mathisen on June 21, 1985. Chris passed away in 2017. Barbara was also preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Richard Kuk (Wanda). She is survived by her sisters, Karyn Jo (Richard) Goodwin and Joanne Lynn Rogulich.

A memorial to celebrate Barbara's life will be held at Harvest Bible Chapel, 800 S. Rohlwing Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with visitation at 10:00a.m., church service at 11:00a.m., and luncheon at 12:00pm. A private inurnment is planned.

Barbara loved her family and friends. She had several cherished dog and cat companions over the years. Those who wish may make gifts to the Animal Assisted Therapy Program at NCH or to Harvest Bible Chapel.