Linda Lee Hlasta was 71 when she passed away to be with our Lord on November 16, 2025. She resided in Celebration, FL for the last four years with her husband of 50 years, Dennis. She passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with kidney cancer. During that time, she continued to live life with her husband by traveling and doing the things they enjoyed and being actively involved in her church.

Linda was born in Marietta, Ohio to her parents George and Donna (née Lee) Lee. She attended The Ohio State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and graduated with a B.A. in education from the State University of New York, Albany. Linda retired after teaching middle school for many years, but she most enjoyed teaching special education students. She was also a middle school cheerleading coach for many years.

She met Dennis, the love of her life, when in college and they were married in 1975 in Columbus, Ohio. Linda enjoyed visiting national parks, cruising, The Ohio State Buckeyes, Philadelphia Flyers hockey, going to Disney World, and camping with her children in the Adirondacks. She was an avid reader and enjoyed book clubs. Her faith was foremost in her Christian walk in life and for 50 years was active in five churches in New Haven CT, Clifton Park, NY, Lansdale PA, Arlington VA and, lastly, Winter Garden FL. Linda taught elementary Bible school for decades and was a Children's Minister. Linda was an extrovert and loved to talk. She was a perfect partner for her husband Dennis, the introvert.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, George and Donna Lee, her brother John and sister Georgia. She is survived by her husband Dennis Hlasta and her children and three sons-in-law – Meredith (Kevin) Baldwin, Erin (David Jr.) Foley, Maggie (Brian) Dougherty, and Erik Hlasta. She has seven grandchildren Jonathan (Reyna), Emma, Cooper, and Hunter Baldwin and David III, Kennard, and Lee Foley and three great-grandchildren Kijani, Ariana, and Phoenix Baldwin. Linda is survived by her siblings, Steven (Tina) Lee and Peggy (Joe) Defenderfer along with a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on December 22, 2025 with visitation at 10:30 am and the service at 11:00 am, Eastern Time, at the West Orange Church of Christ, 1450 Daniels Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the West Orange Kids and Youth Programs. Click here and select the Fund "In Honor of Linda Hlasta". Or write a check to the church above with memo line "In Honor of Linda Hlasta" and mail to the address above.

Her favorite verse is Jude 24-25: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."