ABOUT MARKLUND

The story of Marklund is one of unconditional love, selflessness and hope.

Dr. Mary Ellen Reedy made a simple request of Claire Haverkampf, R.N.—provide foster care for a little boy born with Down Syndrome and severe cardiac complications.  Claire and her husband, Stan, did this and so much more.  Five days after his birth on December 21, 1954 at Elmhurst Hospital, Mark William Lund came to live with the Haverkampf’s and their two children in their Northlake home. Here, Mark was cared for as a member of the family.

Word of the Haverkampf’s selflessness spread and soon they opened their expanded home to more children with developmental disabilities. As the “family” grew, so did their need for physical space. They moved to a larger home in Bloomingdale where Marklund was formed. Here, they provided so much more than just a place for care, they provided an environment of hope.

The Haverkampf’s were visionaries. They saw the real need for a place where infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities could find a full life experience. With their solid foundation and foresight, Marklund has grown into seven homes and many related programs throughout the Chicago area. Marklund serves individuals with severe and profound developmental disabilities through 24-hour nursing care, and a full range of therapeutic and educational programs. Beginning with one child, one open heart and one home, Marklund is now a place where hundreds are impacted, by many staff and volunteers, in many different sites throughout DuPage and Kane Counties.