It is sad to know we have lost another classmate. Linda's sister, Barbara Kelly Okerberg, is Waltrip Class of '65 and she shared this info on Facebook. Linda's husband is Steve. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come.  She will be very missed.

Linda Kelly Van Loozen  October 1, 1949 - February 14, 2024 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE - MARCH 8, 2024 1P-4P.  WILL BE ON ZOOM.

FROM (Linda's daughter) KARA CARTER's Facebook post:
For those that don’t know what all my mother went through, I am sharing a bit of her and my dad’s journey. In 2015, my mom was diagnosed with 2 types of blood cancer. We spent months in the hospital with her, taking turns and praying she would heal. My aunt ended up being an exact match for her blood and was able to literally help my mom drain her bad cells out and inject them with my aunts healthy cells. She was a miracle for my mom. I was there the day the transplant happened. I watched as the doctors “ revived” her through the process. She was 80 pounds and took years to recover. She fought so hard. After that, she set out to a real recovery. She became more back to normal after a few years but was never the same again. Her body constantly fought the “foreign” cells and every infection, sickness, tiniest risk to her immune system was a huge deal. Yet she continued to fight. All of this being so hard on on my mom doesn’t touch what my dad was going through. That man is the ultimate definition of true love. He never left her side, gave up everything, paid any price just to make her better. His love for her is unmatched. Mom never made a full recovery.

Back in August (8 years after the transplant) the hospital visits began again. She couldn’t seem to stop fighting infection after infection. Every medicine or treatment they could give her fought against one that was already in her body helping her cells not attack eachother. She hurt, she was sick, she couldn’t eat, she became immobile and she fought.

Mom made it a point that if it was the last thing she did, she was going to be home for Christmas. Those of you that know my mom, know she didn’t take no for an answer. The girls and I were able to spend Christmas at my parents house with them both and she told me every day it was her “ best Christmas ever” my dads strength during this time was amazing to watch, but also so heartbreaking. He continued to give her everything he had. She was his life.

After Christmas, the infections kept coming one after another. She looked at my brothers and I so many times and said, “I am just so tired. When will they stop making me fight so hard?” Our family knew we couldn’t make her keep eating, walking, moving, fighting any longer. She fought for 9 years. 9 years of life she got to live with her kids, grandkids, husband, family, and friends. She was so loved.

She passed on Valentine’s Day after we all made the decision with her wishes that she just couldn’t fight anymore. She died peacefully and without pain. She is no doubtedly “ Dancing in the Sky” . Mom is a believer. She was ready and at peace.

Here is the miracle part. My mom passed away on Valentines Day. She waited til my dad got back to the hospital after not being allowed to spend the night. He was there less than five minutes. She saw him, said his name, and he was able to give her a proper goodbye. He’s at peace. But in addition to this, yesterday was not only Valentine’s Day, but also the birthday of the very aunt who gave my mom 8 extra years of life. The amazing sister that gave my mom her healthy cells. What are the chances? If you don’t believe in a Heaven, I don’t know what other proof you need.

In addition, I need to comment on my father. That man never wavered. He never questioned or complained, or thought it was too much. He is my hero. His heart is pure gold. And if you know my mom, she wasn’t always easy. But she was everything to him and you couldn’t look at him without knowing that was 100% true. His strength and love are two things I hope I can one day touch. My mom’s journey, my dad’s steadfast love. I hope to one day mirror the respect I and so many people have for my parents. I love them and am so thankful I got to witness the meaning of true love. My mom will be missed but we will be ok. She is free of the suffering that has consumed the last years of her life.