Kathleen Lynn Malek (nee Boettcher), a resident of Mount Prospect, formerly of Pekin, Illinois passed away November 21,2025 at the age of 74. She was born February 14, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Park Ridge as the third oldest of 12 children.  Kathy was a registered nurse who worked in multiple facets of the nursing field from the hospital setting, to skilled nursing, home care and a burn unit in her extensive nursing career. She was a dedicated and compassionate nurse who always went above and beyond for her patients.  Most importantly, Kathy was a loving and devoted Mother to her two children, Daniel and Karen.  Kathy was a familiar face in the St. James Parish community.

Kathy is survived by her children, Daniel Malek and Karen Day along with her siblings, Walter Boettcher, Elizabeth (William) Bielanski, Theresa (Richard) Cordes, Paul (Mary) Boettcher, Geralyn (Kevin) Walsh, Mary (Mark) Tambeaux, Annie (Lisa Hempen) Boettcher.  Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Marguerite (née Schneider), and her siblings, Cynthia (the late Wayne) Soph, Susan (William) Luebke, Margaret (the late Thomas) Erwin, and Joseph Boettcher.  Kathy will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 12:00 PM at St. James Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kathy's name to NorthWest Compass, Inc., https://northwestcompass.org/get-involved/donate/ , or Lighthouse Hospice, https://www.lighthousehospice.com/hospice-and-palliative-care-donation , who provided Kathy with loving, compassionate and dignified care in her final days.

Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and cremation center.  For more information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .