Lynne Kristine Hansen-Salak

Lynne Kristine Hansen-Salak, 67, of Barrington, IL, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2021. Lynne was born in Des Plaines, IL, on July 20, 1954, the first daughter of Roy and Grace Hansen.

Lynne had a sparkling personality and a wonderful sense of humor. She loved music and art. As a youngster, Lynne was swept up in the whirlwind of Beatlemania, weekly altering her favorite “Mop Top” until she landed solidly on George Harrison. Lynne was an artist throughout her life, creating many lovely paintings, and she worked for many years as a graphic designer.

Lynne was an honors graduate of Maine West High School and Southern Illinois University, where she met the love of her life, Steve Salak, who sadly predeceased her in 2003. Lynne and Steve set down roots in Berkeley Heights, NJ, where they lived for many years with their son, Dave, enjoying regular Cape Cod vacations.

Lynne’s passion was baseball, and she was a die-hard Cubs’ fan. Lynne was a proud member of the Bleacher Bums, and she was president of the fan club for Cub’s catcher Ken Rudolf (back-up to all-star Randy Hundley starting in 1969). Lynne was ecstatic when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 and her eternal wish is for the “W” flag to fly often and proudly.

Lynne and Grace were honored when in 1969 NASA coordinated the first moon landing for their shared birthday, July 20. They also enjoyed a memorable joint 65th and 90th birthday celebration at Christ Church in Des Plaines on July 20, 2019.

Lynne is survived by her mother Grace, her beloved son Dave, and her siblings, Roy Hansen and his wife, Diane Vos Hansen, of Barrington, her brother David Hansen and his wife, Trish King, of San Francisco and Chicago, her sister Susan Breternitz and her husband, Bob, of Barrington, as well as her beloved mother-in-law, Dolores Salak, and her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lynne’s family requests that any donations be made in her memory to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrf.org) or the Barrington Area Council on Aging (bacoa.org).