Linda Marie Smith, 65, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2022 after living with Multiple Sclerosis for more than 35 years. She was born February 2, 1957 to Owen and Helen Wischhusen in Englewood, Colorado.

Celebrations of Life: Thursday, August 25, 6:30 PM at Amber Giauque Anderson’s home in Englewood, CO and Saturday, September 24, 1:00 PM at New Hope Lutheran Church in Keller, TX.

Linda grew up in Littleton and attended Kennedy High School until her senior year, graduating from Lincoln High School. She moved to Alliance, Nebraska with her husband Terry, where they had four daughters, Rebecca, Julia, Michelle and Amy. Terry’s work with the railroad involved multiple relocations, and the family spent time living in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Great Falls, Montana, and a second tour of Alliance before permanently relocating to the Fort Worth, Texas area in 1998. Linda worked part time teaching quilting and sewing classes in many of the communities she lived in, sharing her talents and passion with students of all ages.

Linda was an active member of many church congregations throughout her life, and steadfast in her faith. New Hope Lutheran in Keller, Texas became her church home in 2001, and she was active in the church and women’s groups there until her passing – continuing to attend Bible Study and weekly worship services via Zoom and Facebook Live towards the end of her life.

Around 2005, Linda became involved with the North Texas chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, first joining the “Aquaducks” at an MS Society-sponsored water aerobics class, and later an MS group at Mindset Physical Therapy in Fort Worth. Perpetually positive, Linda would tell others how fortunate she was to have been diagnosed with MS, because without it she wouldn’t have met so many wonderful people through programs like these.

Linda’s favorite activities included visiting the Fort Worth Zoo, listening to music, playing games and sharing a potluck meal with friends and family. In the last year of her life, she began playing the piano under the instruction of one of her many amazing caregivers – a shining example of how she never let her physical impairments limit her enjoyment of life.

Linda was many things to many people – mother, teacher, volunteer, patient – but her life’s work was in being a friend in the truest sense of the word. An infectious smile, bright sense of humor, and genuinely positive attitude turned strangers to lifelong friends everywhere she went. Quick to forgive, slow to judge, Linda never failed to lend a hand, an ear, a shoulder to cry on for a friend in need – regardless of her own burdens. Linda’s generosity continued into her death, as her remains were donated to research at The University of North Texas Health Science Center in accordance with her final wishes.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Owen and Helen Wischussen, and her stepmother, Avis Johnson. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Joe Hickson and grandchildren Adriana, Reece, Paiton and Carleigh; daughter and son-in-law Julia and Brandon Bumpas; daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Tom Massie and granddaughter Abigail, and daughter and son-in-law Amy and Tim Harnage and granddaughter Piper, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Susan Wischussen and nephew Jeffrey, her sister Lani Nielsen and nephews Vi, Aaron and Adam; her sister and brother-in-law Kristin and Glen Habicht and niece Erika and nephew Joel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/linda-wischussen-smith/obituary/

Copy