Linda Butcher

A Celebration of Life service for Linda Lou Butcher, 78, of Independence, will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Carson-Speaks Chapel. While we are heartbroken at the loss of our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend - the family looks forward to sharing memories of the times that mattered most. Please feel free to join us in sharing our remembrances of Linda Lou at Carson-Speaks Chapel located at 1501 W. Lexington Ave. in Independence, MO. beginning at 1:00, with a service starting at 2:00.
Mom was born to Wilbur and Aletha Harten in Jefferson, Iowa on June 3, 1940, and later joined by her sister, Laura. She spent her younger years living on a farm in Dana, Iowa with her close-knit family. Following her graduation as the valedictorian of Dana High School's five students in the Class of 1958, she met and married Duane Eckhart from nearby Boone. They moved to the Kansas City area and remained married until 1978, having four children together: Debbie (Kroll), Kathy (Lewis), Barbara (White), and David. There were lots of visits to Iowa, camping trips, and incredibly good meals, growing up.
Mom would later move to the Northeast part of the city. She also built on her earlier training at the American Institution of Business, as an employee of Fisher Meat Co. for nearly ten years. She met and, years later, married Gareld (Butch) Butcher. They moved to the Independence area, where Mom baked, renovated, and gardened. They remained there until his death in 2007. She spent the last years of her employment at the Independence Housing Authority, from which she retired in 2008.
There are sweet memories of home-made cinnamon rolls, Grandma-made flannel pajamas, flaky pie crusts, and countless cookies. Of her singing along to The Commodores, Bob Seger, Garth, and Tom Jones, and singing "Happy Birthday" on annual phone calls. Memories of tailgate parties and her vocal 'coaching' of her beloved Chiefs, Royals, Tigers, or Cyclones. Of Mom reaching for her trusty laptop so that she could keep her kids stocked in carryout, candy bars, and coffee. There are especially memories of her sense of humor and sass, right to the end. There was nothing Mom enjoyed more than being surrounded by her family. She loved it when her living room was filled with her kids and their families, and she loved visits from her sister, Laura, who made countless round trip drives from Iowa.
Deemed "fiercely independent" by Tammy, the hospice nurse who came to know her so well, Mom was able to face ALS with immeasurable strength and courage. And to do it on her own terms. In lieu of flowers, donations to The ALS Association in Mom's honor, are welcomed and encouraged (www.alsa.org).
Linda Lou Butcher passed away in her home on October 21, 2018. Survivors include her children, Debbie Kroll (David), Barbara White (Mike), son David Eckhart; five grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Laura Mount of Ogden, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter, Kathy.