Linda Jean Groenke

December 7, 1954 – September 16, 2026

Linda Jean Groenke, born on December 7, 1954, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 16, 2026.

Linda's faith was at the heart of who she was. She never hesitated to talk about Jesus with anyone who would listen. As a young married woman, she and her toddler daughter, Christin, served as missionaries in Guatemala, where Linda worked building a children's orphanage. Throughout her life, Linda remained active in her church and Bible studies, serving faithfully through local church ministries in her Longview Texas community. Sharing God's love with others was deeply important to her.

Linda spent the last five years of her life in Port Charlotte, Florida, and treasured the time she spent with her daughter, Christin. She loved being together with her, sharing conversation, laughter, and the simple moments of everyday life. Christin was deeply loved and cherished by her mother, and the bond they shared was one of the greatest joys of Linda's life.

Linda devoted 20 years of her life to teaching in special education. Her dedication to her students and her passion for helping children earned her recognition as a finalist for Texas Teacher of the Year. She found great purpose in encouraging and supporting children as they learned and grew.

Linda was known for her determination and willingness to take on unusual challenges. One of her most memorable accomplishments was her participation in a "Hands on a Hardbody" contest, where contestants had to keep a hand on a pickup truck longer than everyone else. Through sheer grit and perseverance, Linda finished in second place after 124 hours and was featured in national and local news. It was a perfect example of her competitive spirit, resilience, and ability to surprise those around her.

A talented artist, Linda found joy in creating beautiful and meaningful works of art, often giving her creations as gifts to family and friends. Through her artwork, she shared a piece of herself and expressed the love she held for others.

Linda also had a lifelong love of animals. She owned and loved exotic birds, horses, dogs, and welcomed animals of all kinds into her life. Her compassion extended to every creature she encountered, and animals remained a special and cherished part of her life.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Christin Joy Montz; her sisters, Evelyn Duffy and Kathryn Kaiser; her brothers-in-law, Mark Duffy and John Kaiser; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Patrick, Colin, and Caitlin, and Rachel and Sean, along with their spouses, partners and their children.

Linda will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her compassionate heart, her love of family, and the countless lives she touched through her teaching, artistry, and devotion to God. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tidewell Hospice Foundation using the link below. https://support.tidewellfoundation.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30110a?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=115251155E1D926444053D7ECEFCEA8E