Linda Stumpp Tuttle

Linda Stumpp Tuttle died on September 19 at her home in Brandon Woods.

She was born October 31, 1937, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Edward Charles Stumpp and Mary Elizabeth (nee Williams) Stumpp, joining a brother, Edward Charles, Jr. Her parents, older brother, and stepmother, Nancy (nee King) Stumpp, have preceded her in death.

Linda attended elementary school at Wheeling Country Day School, then graduated from Mount de Chantal Academy in Wheeling, in 1955. She went to Denison University, from which she graduated in 1959; she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She later received a masters degree in personnel administration from Kansas University. She married William M. Tuttle, Jr. in 1959; the marriage ended in divorce in 1974.

After living in Bangor, Maine; Madison, Wisconsin; and Arlington, Virginia; the family arrived in Lawrence in 1967. Linda worked at KU’s Natural History Museum, the Kansas Arts Commission, and for many years at the Kansas Department of Transportation. After retirement, she worked at Pendleton’s Garden Center and volunteered at Audio Reader, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which supports children in the legal system, and Small World, a nonprofit helping international families of Kansas University students and faculty.

Throughout her life, Linda loved the arts and the natural world. Despite struggling with illness for many years, Linda was a devoted member of both a long-running book group and Friends in Council, a women’s club. Her intelligence, wit, and compassion will be remembered by her many friends from these and other circles.

Linda is survived by her children and their families. Bill, with wife Mary Beth Tuttle and children Will and Libby, lives in Mahtomedi, Minnesota; Kate, with husband Kevin Young and children Addie and Mack, lives in Decatur, Georgia; Andy, with wife Leilani Thornton Tuttle, lives in Lawrence. She also leaves behind her younger brother, Austin King Stumpp, and his wife, Susan, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Linda’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at the Unitarian Fellowship, 1263 N. 1100 Road, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to L.I.N.K. (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen) or the Ballard Center.