ELLINWOOD — Linda Pauline Kasselman, 71, went to her eternal home April 1, 2025. She was born to Warren and Nadine Schartz on Jan. 11, 1954, in Great Bend, Kan. Linda was raised the daughter of a farmer. She was a genuine farm girl, strong and smart. She treasured simple things like a beautiful sunrise, sunset, or a blooming flower brought her joy.
Linda’s childhood was filled with driving tractors, swathers, or wheat trucks. She had a gift for nurturing and training animals. Linda understood and loved nature. She was skilled at bringing the sick or hurt animals back to
health; she would be up at all hours taking extraordinary measures to care for them.
On July 20, 1973, she married Rick Kasselman. They loved and were devoted to each other for over 51 years.
Together, they remodeled and improved Linda’s childhood home and built a successful business. Linda always had a beautiful garden and took great pride in her yard and pond, which is still enjoyed by all who visit_their home. She was a hard worker, an avid gardener and a skilled cook. While Linda had the opportunity to travel, she always preferred to be home.
Together, Rick and Linda raised two children (Amy and Bryan) and delighted in two grandchildren (Hayden and Rylen). Linda devoted her life to her family_and was known to drop everything for her kids and grandkids. She loved taking her kids swimming, bike riding and horseback riding after the chores for the day were done. She spoiled her grandkids and loved them deeply, she loved taking them on adventures, no chores required.
She taught her family how to care for others, to love, and to forgive. She demonstrated a life of service to others, consideration of other’s feelings, and careful words. In death, she taught them how to let go and to love each other forever. She was always there when she was needed and will always be a part of their best memories.
Her most esteemed titles and accomplishments, the noteworthy ones: Child of God, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. We are so blessed to have been loved by her.
Linda was preceded in death by her brother, Duane; her mother Nadine; and her father Warren. She is missed and loved eternally by those she was taken from, her husband Rick; son Bryan, and daughter-in-law Kristin; daughter Amy Brown; son-in-law Ted Brown; and her grandchildren Hayden and Rylen Brown; her brother Curtis Schartz (Lila); sister Debra Stickney (LeRoy); sister Brenda Birzer (Steve); and their respective families.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday April 5, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood, with Father Terrance Klein presiding. Interment will follow at Lakin Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation will take place Friday, April 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Rosary and Vigil at 7 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Kans for Kids or St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Rd.
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 3, 2025
