Linda Sue Sankovitch

She was born on June 23, 1961, in Karlsruhe, Germany, daughter to Thomas H. and Ingrid E. (Kurz) Hartwig. As an “Army brat,” their family was later planted in Trenary, Mich. and that is where she graduated High School class of 1980.

On May 21, 1988, the former Linda Hartwig married James A. Sankovitch in Escanaba, Mich. Linda and Jim raised their two children. She proved to be an exceptional wife, mother, friend and nana. She was known for her positive outlook and beautiful smile.

Linda enjoyed helping run their family owned and operated business, Sankovitch Homes. In prior years, Linda was employed as a bookkeeper with First National Bank, which later was known as MFC then Wells Fargo in Escanaba.

Survivors include her husband, James “Jim” of Bark River; mother, Ingrid Hartwig; mother-in-law, Rose Mary Sankovitch; children, James T. (Melissa) Sankovitch of Bark River and Madelyn (Beau) Vandenberge of Wallace, Mich.; bonus daughter, Kaisa (Jeff) Ives of Bark River; grandchildren, Erick Sankovitch, and Cameron and Sylvie Vandenberge; bonus grandchildren, Audrey and Tucker Ives; sisters, Tina Hartwig, Cathy (Kennth) Nelson, Carol (Patrick) Beland, Bessie (Brian) Hoy, and Brothers Tom (Lisa) Hartwig, and Allen Hartwig; and many loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Hartwig; father-in-law, John Sankovitch; and brother-in-law, Michael Sankovitch.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 29 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Bark River with Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating. A meal will immediately follow in the church hall.

Burial will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Schaffer.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Sankovitch family.