Linda L. Luke- August 19, 1949, to July 9, 2025

Linda Luke passed away on July 9, 2025, at Great Plains Health after a short battle with heart disease.

Linda was the only child of John and Delores (Lancey) Gaipl. Linda's father was in the United States Navy, so she had a well-traveled childhood, living in several states on the island of Gaum. When Linda was in the fifth grade, her father was discharged from the Navy and the family moved to Alliance, Nebraska. There she lived until her graduation from high school. After high school, Linda's family moved to Hemingford, Nebraska where her parents owned and operated the Hemingford Jack and Jill grocery store.

Linda earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Education from Chadon State College.

Linda was an exceptional teacher, focusing on students in the upper elementary and middle school grades. However, her first teaching contract was in a one-room country school located on dirt roads somewhere between Alliance and Hemingford, Nebraska. There she was the teacher for students ranging from grades K through 6th. In addition to her teaching duties, she was responsible for bringing in water from the pump (electric, thank goodness), making sure the "facilities" (outdoors, but heated in winter) were clean and ready for use, and occasionally shooing vermin (including an agitated skunk) from under the schoolhouse. Linda maintained that everyone should teach in a country school, but she was happy to move to a school with indoor plumbing and teachers for each grade level.

Her next assignment was in the Hyannis Public Schools where she taught 5th graders for several years. She then moved to North Platte and was employed by the North Platte Public School District. Linda taught 6th graders at McDonald Elementary for many years, then transitioned to Adams Middle School where she taught 6th grade math and 7th grade social studies. Linda retired in 2003.

Linda was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where she helped organize and serve funeral dinners for parishioners and their families. She also helped in the church office when necessary.

Linda is survived by her husband Tom, and cousins Susan (Rick)  Stratton of Holmen, Wisconsin, and Jan Parcel of Ottumwa, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Delores Gaipl, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on July 14, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. on July 14, 2025 with the Reverend Vidya Sagar and the Reverend David Rykwalder concelebrating. Inurnment will be held after the Mass at Holy Spirit columbarium. A Memorial Book Signing will be at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 13, 2025, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com