FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 10:00 a.m.
Interior School Gym
Interior, South Dakota

• I am totally in awe of the outpouring of love and kindness from others about my wife's passing, but I would not be doing her justice if I didn't point out a couple of unintentional errors in Carolyn Tyler's beautiful column posted below. Linda didn't have Hodgkins Disease, it was large B cell lymphoma, those who have cancer are pretty particular about the type. She didn't have any radiation treatments, and her final round of chemo was RICE, cancer survivors know those letters each mean a different chemical. It was the treatment that was fatal, just that the cancer didn't respond to it enough to stop it, and it eventually took over her lungs. The treatment she had at Mayo Clinic was a self donation stem cell transplant. Stem cells are the blood cells that all of us have that help to regenerate and grow other blood cells and parts of the body. No bone marrow transplant was done. And lastly, it was our youngest son, Trevor's birthday. I love the sentiment and the intent of Carolyn's column, but Linda would thump me if I didn't make note of those errors. Thank you all for caring so much!
  
  Gene ~ Gene Williams PO Box 2, Interior, SD 57750 (8/14/2004)
• Our sincere sympathy to you and your family at the loss of Linda. We met her once as a young child but knew her dad and Kathy and I worked together oh so many years ago at Cedar Pass Lodge. We have been through that walk through the valley of the shadow of death having supported our granddaughter through a losing battle with leukemia. The wonderful memories will always be with you. May God comfort you and keep you in his care. Joan ~ Kenny and Joan Spears Tuthill, SD (8/14/2004)
• Kathy and family:
  Our hearts go out to you as you now both rejoice in the incredible gift of Linda's life, and mourn the mystery of her too-soon death. Reading the page here about her life reminds me of the lively young girl who I had the privilege baptizing into Christ those years ago. How fully and trustingly she lived into that promise of Christ's love in her life! We mourn for our loss of a Linda who was such a sign of God's grace, but we must know that God's promise of life eternal has begun and continues for her though she is out of our sight. Kathy, may you be ministered to as you also continue to minister. Blessings and Hope, Dave and Kathy Winterfeldt ~ Pastor David Winterfeldt and Kathy Dimock, SD (8/14/2004)
• I met Linda at the National Park Service's Fundamentals Training at the Grand Canyon in the spring of 2002. We had good talks about all of her boys---her husband, Gene, and her 2 sons; life living on a ranch in South Dakota; working for the Service at the Park. Her love for her life was evident in those talks. I know this is a difficult time for you, but let us rejoice that God let us have her in our lives for the time that we did. ~ Vivian Amudson Littleton, CO (8/14/2004)
• I know that this is a very difficult thing to go thru, as we have said after losing my dad, time does heal. Just remember all the great memories that you had with each other. ~ Lynda Johnson Canton, SD (8/14/2004)
• I was so sorry to hear of Linda's death. You have my deepest sympathy. I know Kathy through LO and the synod, and have been praying for Linda these last months. In Christ, Erika ~ Pastor Erika Lehmann Mission Hill, SD (8/14/2004)
• Dear Gene, Tristen and Trevor,
  
  Saturday morning, after hearing of Linda's sudden downturn, I was sitting on the couch in tears when my daughter Jenna woke up. She asked me why I was crying and I told her my dear friend was dying, and she looked up at me with her eyes wide and said "but then she will be in Heaven!" I hope Jenna's simple faith will give you strength during this time, knowing that Linda is truly in a better place. We are lifting you up in our prayers. ~ Nancy Becker 1909 S. Alpine Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57110 (8/14/2004)
• Tristen, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
  May God watch over you and strengthen you through this difficult time.
  God bless you ~ Midland Atlanta Group ~ Trinity Lutheran Youth Group Midland, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene, Tristen, Trevor, and family,
  
  May God watch over you today during this difficult time, and give you strength as only Linda could to remember what you all mean to her.
  
  God Bless You.
  
  Mindy ~ Mindy (Halverson) Bird Crooks, SD (8/14/2004)
• Jesus gain and our families loss! Linda and her family were a great warrior against cancer even as she worked hard to further research for a cure to help others if not early enough for herself. You have raised two fine young boys and they will be your legacy. I will miss you Linda. ~ June Covington 3529-315 Caminito El Rincon, San Diego, CA 92130 (8/14/2004)
• I am so sorry to here about Linda. I have not seen her in years but she was a joy when I helped the family one summer on potato creek. I know she will be greatly missed. But memory of her will be greatly cherished. ~ Chuck & Jackie Jakeway 127 Pine Haven Rd., Pine Haven, WY 82721 (8/14/2004)
• Gene & Boys- You are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do for you, just let us know. ~ Dean and Mary Jane Edson 2701 Bradfield Dr., Lincoln, NE 68502 (8/14/2004)
• Gene and family,
  I am saddened by your loss. Linda had great courage. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
  
  I am Carolyn Tyler's sister and Mom of Greg Becker.
  
  My sympathies to you.
  Linda ~ Linda Butler Becker 1027 Westwood Dr., Riverton, WY 82501 (8/14/2004)
• Gene & family,
  I wish I knew what to say to make this time easier for you. Maybe it helps to know how much we all think of Linda and you guys. I will always remember Linda for being so positive and upbeat...and for putting up with you sometimes when I certainly wouldn't of! It was so obvious how much she loved each of you and maybe that's the most important thing to remember - that, although she isn't here in person anymore, her love for you will last forever. Take care of yourselves...we can talk later when you feel like it. ~ Angela Ehlers Presho, SD (8/14/2004)
• Newspaper Column in the Riverton (Wyoming) Ranger, Wednesday, August 18, 2004
  By Carolyn B. Tyler, Executive Editor
  
  Her legacy will live with family
  
  A brave young woman died on Saturday. She was 36, the victim of Hodgkin's Disease.
  There will be no monument built in tribute, no building named in her honor. Her legacy lies in the family she leaves behind – two teenage sons and a dedicated husband. It is the nuclear family of days-gone-by. Hard-working on a resistant land. Church-going. School-involved. Civic-responsible.
  She died with many of her dreams realized. She was too young to die, but how many of us will die with most of our dreams realized – even to the point of an impending-death trip with those she loved most, her immediate family.
  Linda Williams was the wife of a much-younger brother of a long-time contemporary-age close friend of mine. I met Linda only once, when she and Gene could hardly contain themselves from announcing their engagement at his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. But they refrained, allowing the focus of the day be on the elder couple.
  Soon they married, started a family, and ultimately took over the family ranch when his parents died. Not an easy time, bordering on the Badlands of South Dakota. It's a harsh land. Its beauty is almost as evasive as its harvest. But when you love the land, you are treated to the secret of its true glory.
  Linda worked side-by-side with Gene to run the ranch and raise their sons. She made a home for them all.
  It was a hard life, but worth every bit of the blood, sweat, and tears. She invested them all.
  About a year ago, she began noticing unusual backaches, consulted a doctor in Rapid City, and was treated for a number of illusive symptoms.
  Then, about Thanksgiving-time, she received the disastrous diagnosis of Hodgkin's Disease.
  She fought it with every nasty thing they offered – chemo, radiation, and supplemented that with faith and family-support.
  She didn't give up. She was at the sidelines for all the Kadoka football games, basketball, wrestling, spring track, and baseball. She did the mom-thing in 4-H and Boy Scouts. Helped birth the calves, rode the herd to summer pasture.
  She was dying, but living life to the fullest for her family.
  The cancer count climbed and climbed
  This spring, Mayo's Clinic in Minnesota offered her a radical treatment. She would receive a bone marrow transplant – transplanted with her own "cleaned" marrow. Linda jumped at the chance. Her family was fully in support. Neighbors and kin rallied to keep the ranch going while she and her husband endured the endless tests and finally the treatment in Rochester.
  She returned home, not to wait, but to work. Time would tell.
  Six weeks later, the news was bad. The transplant treatment did not work. The cancer was raging.
  By late July the call came for the family to come home. They did – some two dozen of them. The sons, Tristen and Trevor, pulled from out-of-state basketball and FFA camps. Her immediate family came from eastern South Dakota and Alaska. In-laws from Minnesota, California, and Missouri. They were together to laugh and cry.
  It was what Linda wanted – not for them all to come to her funeral, but to see her alive and for her to be able to say "Good-bye" to each, to pray together, not for her life but that in her death each could be comforted.
  Linda admitted to her doctor after that she had enjoyed "nearly" everything she wanted from life.
  What was undone?, her doctor asked.
  She said she'd wanted to see one of her sons go to prom – the oldest will be a high school junior this year, the youngest an eighth grader.
  The other was a family trip to Yellowstone. When her husband was eight, his oldest sister and husband, Joane and Don McKay, lived in Riverton. On a summer-visit here, the McKays had taken Gene to Yellowstone. He never forgot that trip and always dreamed of taking his own family there.
  But the responsibility of the ranch, the growing boys, tight ag money, service to their church and on the local school board – all those things had pushed into priority and the Yellowstone trip was always "next year."
  Suddenly, there was to be no "next year."
  Her doctor pondered. Finally he told her, "I can't make the prom dream come true, but I can make the Yellowstone trip happen."
  "How?" Linda asked from her hospital bed.
  The doctor explained that he could give her a fatally-powerful chemo. It could give her enough regression to make the trip, but it would kill her heart.
  Linda never hesitated.
  On July 30, the family of four rented a camper they couldn't afford so she could rest when needed. Linda walked out of the hospital and they headed directly for Yellowstone. It was an ideal trip, everything they had dreamed of.
  They returned home a week ago Sunday – full of life, full of stories, full of memories.
  The next day, Linda went into Hospice care. She died on Saturday.
  It was her oldest son's 16th birthday. ~ Carolyn B. Tyler 1103 Sierra Dr., Riverton, WY 82501 (8/14/2004)
• Gene and Boys,
  Please accept our sincere sympathy on the loss of your wife and mom. We know the pain in seeing someone you love suffer. We know you are relieved that she suffers no more and that the Lord now holds her in the cradle of His arms. She has a special place with Him now. We will pray for your family to feel His loving arms around you as you grieve for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
  
  Jem and Kelly Kjerstad and Family ~ Jem and Kelly Kjerstad and Family 20055 Wolf Rd., Quinn, SD 57775 (8/14/2004)
• You know what a special place you hold in our hearts, Gene. And now, those hearts are breaking for you and the boys. Please accept our deepest sympathies. When all of you need it, know there is an open home and peaceful beach for healing here in SC that is available to you. Reid & Val ~ Reid and Val 1209 Oldwanus Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (8/14/2004)
• Linda was a shining strand of sunlight woven through the tapestry of our lives. We will miss her. May God bless you and keep you in his care. ~ Darrell and Cindy Cruea 8366 113th St. South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 (8/14/2004)
• Gene I had never met Linda but by reading about her I understand why you were married to her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boys. She rests but a short time and will be raised again with the saints. Alice ~ Alice Wallace 1805 N Boyer Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864 (8/14/2004)
• Across the miles, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Ann Hadley Connecticut Association of Conservation Districts (8/14/2004)
• You are all in our thoughts and prayers. You know we are just a phone call away. Mike ~ Mike, Debbie, Mitch, Mark, & Scott Mosel 76740 Rd 324, Ogallala, NE 69153 (8/14/2004)
• The family of Linda Williams, I am so sorry of the loss of Linda. I knew her when we were growing up. She was a wonderful person. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Lesa ~ Lesa (Weaver) Hagen Gillette, WY (8/14/2004)
• Just lifting you all up in our prayers , asking God to comfort and guide you. We are here for you. I found this poem and wanted to share it with you.
  
  God Will Do The Rest
  
  I asked the lord to bless you
  As I prayed for you today
  To guide and protect you
  As you go along your way
  His love is Always with you
  His promises are true
  And when we give Him all our cares
  You know He will see you trough
  So when the road you're traveling on
  Seems difficult at best
  Just remember We're here praying
  And GOD WILL DO THE REST.
  
  We've been and will continue to pray and lift you up each day. ~ Jerry, Annie, and Family 21804 SD Hwy. 248, Kadoka, SD (8/14/2004)
• GENE AND FAMILY, SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT LINDA. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. DONNA ~ Donna Crown Wall, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know how much Linda supported you in all of your work including great work in conservation. Please stay in touch with your conservation family and friends. Rich Duesterhaus ~ Rich Duesterhaus 2220 Malraux Dr., Vienna, VA 22182 (8/14/2004)
• Gene & boys: Even though I knew Linda for a short time, she will be remembered as a passionate advocate for agriculture, and I and all the ladies of WIFE, will miss her. Words are a small consolation, but I hope it helps to know that many care. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God ease your burdens and help heal you. Please try and remember the smiles and the laughs.
  Barb Bonhorst ~ Barb Bonhorst 30910 SD Hwy 34, Pierre, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene and Family, We are sorry to hear about Linda's death. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Haakon County Conservation District - Employees & Board Members Haakon County (8/14/2004)
• My sincere thoughts and prayers to all of Linda's family during this difficult time - the loss of a young wife and mother. May God bless you and keep you in his care. Eileen ~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene: My thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys. Con ~ Con & Bev Hillman 1515 S. Columbia Dr., Bismarck, ND 58504 (8/14/2004)
• Gene, Tristen, & Trevor: I was shocked and saddened to learn of Linda's death. I'm sure there are no words that could possibly soften this blow. You guys were always #1 to her! Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you deal with your loss. ~ Lou & Susan Stewart & Kids Richmond, VA (8/14/2004)
• Gene and family, I am so sorry to hear about Linda, I only know here from coming to the Nursing Home to visit Ralph. She was so nice and I know she will be missed by all. Take care and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Karen ~ Ed & Karen Snyder Philip, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Philip and Mary Kay Wilson ~ Philip Wilson Elm Springs, SD (8/14/2004)
• Gene,
  We are so sorry to hear about Linda! I have no idea what you are going through but know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. If there is anything we can do please let us know.
  Sincerely,
  Tom Carmichael ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael Rapid City, SD (8/14/2004)
• My prayers our with you all during this difficult time. May God look over each one of you and guide through the difficult days ahead. ~ Tana (Kukal) O'Connor Belle Fourche, SD (8/14/2004)
• We were so sorry to hear of Linda's passing; but Kathy, as you & I talked the other day, when the quality of life is gone & the suffering is so unbearable, then we all know she is in a better place. Our sympathy goes out to all of you. Losing a child is a very difficult time in our life, Kathy; but you are strong & if you ever need to talk, just give us a call. Gene, I know you are also strong and you have your 2 boys, which will keep you busy; but please accept our sympathy. If June or Joanne come back, have them give me call at 859-2810. May God Bless each of you and give you the strength you need. You are in our thoughts & prayers, Darral & Marilyn ~ Darral and Marilyn Brooks P.O. Box 257, Philip, SD 57567 (8/14/2004)