Linda Clark

Linda Clark was a faithful person, a supportive mother, and a treasured grandmother. Passionate about people from an early age, she spent a large majority of her life selflessly giving to the needs of others. Linda will be remembered for the genuine grace she shared with even the luckiest of strangers. There is no doubt that she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In the year 1939, Lou Gehrig retired from the New York Yankees, the much-loved classic film, The Wizard of Oz, held its Hollywood premiere, and the first commercial air flight crossed the Atlantic Ocean. On April 15th of that same year, Linda was welcomed by her loving parents, Edward Wilkinson and Ruth Snow, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. As an only child, her birth brought much happiness to the family home.

Growing up in Kalamazoo, Linda lived a very happy childhood. She took roller skating lessons in high school. Linda savored her time at the rink, including dance/waltz competitions. She was a proud graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and remained close to her classmates, who gathered for breakfast every month well into their adult years.

Linda married her high school sweetheart, Lynn Clark. He owned a two-way radio business and eventually had several two-way/cell towers. He was also a firefighter, and Linda loved to cook for the entire crew at the firehouse. The two of them were smitten from the start and were joined in marriage after a short time of dating. During their early married years of raising their children, Linda stayed home and helped with Lynn’s bookkeeping for his business.

As a family, they frequently visited their cabin up north, where they enjoyed hunting for Petoskey stones and navigating the rustic setting. Her memories often included a story or two about visiting the outhouse, as she never liked it or the mice nesting in it! The family also visited cousins in Oklahoma many times, attended airshows in Wisconsin and did a lot of camping together.

When Lynn and Linda’s marriage later ended in divorce, she went to work for Borgess Pro Med in the billing department. Linda had a strong set of skills and was very adept at keeping things in order. She was a vital asset to the company until she retired in 2005.

Despite her and Lynn going their separate ways, in recent years, they spent almost every day together playing cards, going out to dinner together, watching NASCAR or the Detroit Tigers, very much enjoying their time together. They rebuilt a wonderful friendship together.

As a mother, Linda instilled in her children strong beliefs and values. She taught them how to can fruits and vegetables and made sure they had time with their grandparents. She was an avid cook and baker and always had something fresh to eat, like cookies or bread, at the ready. Her faith in God was strengthened as both of her children voluntarily got baptized as adults. As much as she enjoyed doting on her children, she was extremely blessed when she became a grandmother. Linda loved to spend time with her grandchildren and celebrate their accomplishments. She never missed a baseball game, volleyball game or band concert of Austin’s or Kendal’s. Her children and grandchildren never doubted her love over the years. Linda gave so much of herself to her family and ensured they had anything they needed to be successful.

In addition to her love of cooking and baking, Linda enjoyed many other pastimes. She volunteered at Lighthouse Community Church, where she was a founding member (previously Kalamazoo Wesleyan Church) since 1948 and one of the last remaining survivors. Once, when she was serving as a greeter, she forgot to take out a curler from her hair. Nobody from the congregation told her, and it became a funny story that has been passed along ever since!

After church on Sundays, Linda tuned into her favorite sports, the NASCAR and Indy races. She was also a big fan of the Detroit Tigers. She’d stay up late watching the games and knew everything about the players. Energetic as she was, she would often yell at her television to tell those batters to swing!

Creative and artistic, she also enjoyed crafting and did embroidery and sewing for many years. Gardening became her favorite hobby as she loved tending to her garden beds and purchasing new flowers. Fiercely independent, Linda still drove a stick shift car up until a few years ago! Nothing was ever a challenge for her as she was born with a resilient demeanor and endless energy.

Sadly, she suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed in January. Linda was determined to regain her strength. She worked hard to fight her way back to health. Despite some trying days, she never complained. Linda savored any amount of time she was with her family and lived her life to the fullest by loving each one of them unconditionally. Her beautiful smile and sweet personality will be greatly missed by her many special friends and loved ones. Deeply loved, may her warm collection of memories touch their hearts forevermore.

Linda Clark, age 86, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on June 19, 2025. Surviving are her children: Lynnette (Rod) Markowicz and Laura Clark; and grandchildren: Austin and Kendal; and Lynn Clark, the father of her children, great friend, and companion.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 25, from 10 AM – 11 AM at Lighthouse Community Church, with a Funeral Service starting at 11 AM. Lunch will follow. Burial at Mt. Ever Rest Cemetery. Celebrate Linda’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the SPCA of Southwest Michigan. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.