Linda Kay (Williams) Block was born in Cozad on Jan. 18, 1942, one of eight children of Herbert and Ethel (Colkitt) Williams.
Gordon (MaryAnn) Williams, Marlena (Robert) McElwain, Elaine (Don) Wakefield, Duane, Janet (Richard) Kelley, Linda (Daryl) Block, Fred (Marlene) Williams and Charolett (Verlin) Janssen made up their family residing in Gothenburg, and at one time, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
After graduating from Gothenburg High School in 1960, Linda married Daryl Lee Block on Oct. 30, 1960. They lived in Oberlin, Kansas, where their son, Kevin Lee was born May 1961 and then moved back to Gothenburg in June 1961, where they lived until July 2013. Their daughter, Shelly Kay (Tvrdy) Block was born November 1964 in Gothenburg. Linda worked different jobs in Gothenburg, then made a decision in 1970 to become a teacher. She attended Mid Plains Community College in North Platte and then Kearney State College. Linda taught kindergarten - third grade in two different country schools in Nebraska, then moved her teaching career to Dudley Elementary in Gothenburg,, where she taught third grade until retiring in 2002 after 31 years. Linda was a smart and witty woman. She told her own children that she could help them with their school work as long as it was under the fourth grade level. She was passionate about school and instilled in her own children the importance of getting an education.
Linda’s joy came from spending time with her family and friends. She was a devoted wife and mother, following her children’s passions as she and Daryl raised their family. She enjoyed traveling with friends to Husker football games, where she and Daryl had season tickets for 20 years. They also traveled the United States with family trips and had excursions outside of the United States with her siblings and dear friends. Playing bridge with her husband and friends in Gothenburg and Seward was an enjoyable pastime to her life.
Linda was passionate about her children’s children. She became a grandmother at the early age of 44 and even though she was quite young to be a grandmother, she loved that title and became involved in her grandchildren’s lives. Daryl and Linda followed their grandchildren in their activities and adventures. Traveling to Minnesota and Seward to see their children and grandchildren was a monthly adventure. Eventually, Daryl and Linda decided to move closer to their family and made the decision to move to Seward in July 2013.
They attended church at Seward Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church. Linda had a quiet faith in Jesus, but as she matured in life, so did her faith. While in Seward, Linda was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and went through three battles of CLL. This experience brought her closer to Jesus and her family. Her walk with Jesus was evident with her passion and generosity towards others.
Linda is survived by her husband; two children (and their spouses); seven grandchildren (and their spouses); nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Marlena, Janet, Charolett; brother Fred; many nieces and nephews and other family members.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The CrossMakers of Seward, 311 Jackson Ave. (PO Box 74), Seward, NE 68434. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
