Linda Lee Riegel
October 7, 1944 – December 3, 2017
Linda Lee Riegel, 73, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 3, 2017, after a four-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Linda was born on Oct. 7, 1944, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the daughter of Orlena Ruth Krei and Sentinal George Cooper, and she was the third of seven daughters. She was united in marriage to Larry Charles Riegel on Oct. 15, 1966.
Linda grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin. She loved to return there, visit her sisters and the Bay. She met Larry in Marinette, where he was stationed during the Vietnam War. After they married and Larry left the service, they moved to Kansas City where they had their first child, Mark, in 1969. The family moved to Colorado for a short time before returning to the Kansas City area where they had their two daughters, Amie, in 1973, and April, in 1976. They lived in Kearney and Holt for a time, before moving to Marshfield, Mo. During that time, Linda and Larry owned and operated a shoe store on the square in Marshfield. Mark graduated high school in Marshfield and then the family moved to Excelsior Springs where Amie and April graduated high school.
Linda loved children. She was a loving daycare provider for many children over the years and was always known as “Miss Linda.” Linda was a devout Christian who had a passion for reading and studying the bible. It was important to her to witness and share her faith with others. She had a wonderful singing voice and loved to sing in church. She was very creative – sewing, painting, making jewelry and crafting of any sort. She was very generous, sharing the fruits of her labor.
Linda is survived by her husband of 51 years, Larry, and three children: son Mark (Nicole) Riegel of Excelsior Springs, daughter Amie (Chris) Donaldson of Leawood and daughter April (Scott) Craven of Excelsior Springs. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Megan and Garrett Riegel; Owen, Ian and Finn Donaldson; Madeline, Emma and Trent Craven.
Services will be Saturday, Dec. 9, at Chandler Baptist Church on Highway 33 in Liberty, Mo. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., with the funeral following.
Arrangements provided by Bross & Spidle Funeral Home.