Linda Werner

Linda Sue Werner, 72, formerly of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 13, 2019.

Linda Sue Werner was born June 20th 1947 to Lila Lee and Arthur Frank in St. Joseph, MO. As an only child, she spent her childhood playing on her farm with her beloved cousins. Linda graduated from Central High School in 1965. She attended William Jewel College in Liberty, MO earning a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education in 1969. While attending William Jewel she met the love of her life, Robert Lee Werner. They were married on June 1973.

They made Kansas City home after college. Linda taught first and second grade in the North Kansas City School District for ten years. When her sons, Mark and Eric were born, she made the decision to stay at home full time. She was the foundation and leader of the family. She became den mother for the Cub Scout packs, organizer of Boy Scout campouts, cheerleader at swim meets, marketing director of their lawn mowing business and family social director. She organized yearly fishing trips to Minnesota, trips to Branson in the fall, Florida beach vacations in the winter and cross country road trips to national land marks. She was the conductor of every activity her family was a part of.

As her boys grew, Linda became more involved with the family business, Werner’s and Showalter’s Shoe stores. She proved to be an astute and strong businesswoman, navigating the business through challenging times until she retired in 2006.

Linda relished every ounce of life after retirement. She decided to challenge herself with learning a new instrument, hand bells. She joined the hand bell choir at Platte Woods United Methodist Church which reignited her love of music. She looked forward to attending hand bell camp every year and treasured the friendships she made. Playing the beautiful music was an outlet for her. The neighborhood BUNCO group was something she truly enjoyed as well. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed adventures near and far with treasured friends. She was an active volunteer for Hillcrest Community Services and took an active role as a member of the Platte Woods United Methodist Church. Every Wednesday morning she attended women’s bible study and in December, she was a table host at the Christmas tea. She looked forward to her Christmas table scape every year!

Above all else, her pride and joy was her family. She had fierce love and devotion to the boys and daughter-in-law she treasured most. She would stop at nothing to spend time with her grandsons, making frequent trips to St. Louis every chance she got. She doted on her grandsons and was known to stockpile toys “just in case”. She was a favorite babysitter and queen of all that is fun. Photos of her grandsons were treasures. She insisted on the very latest iPhone just so she could take better pictures of her grandchildren. Every holiday was spent surrounded by immediate and extended family sharing meals around a dining table. She made certain she soaked up all the love her heart could hold. Those lucky enough to call her family, were truly blessed because she was a part of our lives.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband of 30 years and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her sons, Mark Werner, of Kansas City, MO and Eric/Katie Werner, of St. Louis, MO; grandsons Clayton and Owen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law George/Carol Wyatt; nephew and niece, Joe Wyatt and Laura Wilson; numerous cousins and countless friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Platte Woods United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 20th at 2:00pm, with visitation beginning at 1:00pm. To honor her love of playing handbells donations can be made to the Intergenerational Handbell Camp, 2231 SW Wall Street Blue Springs, MO 64015, in care of the Chuck McKay memorial fund, which allows first time ringers with financial assistance to attend Intergenerational Handbell Camp.

Linda faced her end with dignity, serenity and a strength that could have only come from our Heavenly Father. While we are exceptionally saddened by her passing, we are even more grateful for the time we had with her. She was the embodiment of love, and our lives were made better because of her.