Linda J. Burton

ROCKFORD, IL ~ Linda J. Burton, 67, passed away peacefully in her Rockford home Wednesday, February 19, 2025 with her family by her side. She was born in Chicago, IL on February 17, 1958, the daughter of Alan B. and Kathryn J. (Pagles) Rowl. Linda grew up in the northern Illinois communities of Rock Falls, Monroe Center and Stillman Valley areas, attending Stillman Valley High School. She proudly obtained her GED from Rock Valley College. She worked in the restaurant field as a teenager and went on to become a cartographer, employed at Rockford Map Publishers (RMP) for over 23 years. She took several computer related courses through Rock Valley College to sharpen her cartography skills, helping her move to a supervisory position within RMP. After retiring from RMP in 2004, she fully delved into the world of dance, competing and instructing her many students in Ballroom, Latin and Social Dance. She rented space in a few churches to teach and later transformed her living room into a dance studio. Linda was a loving mother to Matthew, a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to so many. Classy, beautiful and multi-talented, she was an animal and nature lover, athlete, artist, culinary and literary enthusiast, gardener, musician, political activist and seamstress. She cared deeply about her family and researched the genealogy for her mothers and fathers ancestors. She also valued democracy and the intellect, and loved to teach. In 2000, she met her future husband Art Upmann through a dance venue, and enjoyed 21½ years of marriage. They attended many dances together and Art was a great support in her many dance competitions throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. They enjoyed a wonderful trip to Europe. They shared an interest in Real Estate, purchasing a 40 acre farm in Northern Wisconsin for their "Little Getaway" where she loved her solitude and peaceful, isolated paradise. Survived by her loving husband, Arthur Upmann of Rockford, IL; son Matthew Trojello of Pecatonica, IL; siblings Rodney (Sherry) Rowl of Rockford, IL; Jane Rowl (Terry Palmer) of Byron, IL; David Rowl (Cristine Hirsch) of Las Vegas, NV; Stepmother Anita J. Rowl of Rockford, IL; Stepdaughter Valerie (Jeff) Smith of Pecatonica, IL and their children Kaylie, Katelyn and Kamryn; Sister-in-law Maryann Ohms of Scales Mound, IL; Special cousin and friend Sandy (Gordon) James of McHenry, IL; Former Sister-in-law and friend Sherry Trojello of Tampa, FL; her special dog Louie to whom she was dearly devoted and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by her parents and her beloved German Wirehaired Pointer, Oly. Services for Linda will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home 136 W. Roosevelt St. Stillman Valley, IL 61084 with visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and a memorial ceremony immediately following with Officiant Molly Bowen presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer Societies and the American National Red Cross Organization. To leave an online condolence or plant a tree in Linda's memory, please visit www.farrellhollandgale.com.