Linda Kay was born November 17, 1946, to Alfred Leo and Frances Lucille Ottinger.
Linda grew up in Gower and graduated from Gower High School. She was united in marriage to Vance Gayle Bodenhausen August 23, 1964. Their 59 years of marriage was blessed with love, faith, family, friends, and life on the farm in rural Gower.
Linda was a member of the Gower Christian Church, where she shared her extraordinary musical talent with the church and community. She served the church for 59 years as organist and choir director. Her energy and creativity in arranging special music to celebrate Christmas, Easter and weekly worship services was widely recognized and appreciated. Among her most impactful contributions was establishing the Living Last Supper dramatic reflection on communion that became the centerpiece of the annual Maundy Thursday service.
Few events happened in Gower without Linda providing the music. She played piano or organ music for hundreds of weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies and she led choral presentations to bring memorable entertainment to numerous special occasions. She had a special zeal for performing patriotic, gospel and ragtime music.
Linda was an insurance agent and served as Business Manager of Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Company of Clinton County for 31 years. She had wide-ranging interests and was an avid collector of teddy bears, nutcrackers, milk bottles, medicine bottles, old sheet music, and historical women’s hats. She shared her interests with many groups and was especially close to her circle of friends in Beta Sigma Phi. We are grateful that Linda was a photographer and scrapbooker, leaving us with keepsakes that spark memories of special times and places.
Linda’s biggest joy was her family, especially participating in the activities of her seven grandchildren – to whom she is known as Grammy. She enjoyed family trips all over the U.S. and Canada in the 1970s and ‘80s. In more recent years, Linda enjoyed cheering for the Kansas City Royals and taking road trips with Vance to watch major league baseball games and tour Presidential Museums.
Linda is survived by her husband, Vance; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Kerry Bodenhausen, Springfield, Mo.; daughter and son-in-law Brooke and Bob Renton, Weatherby Lake, Mo.; son Brent Bodenhausen of Gower; seven grandchildren, Michael Bodenhausen, Luke Renton, Nathan Renton, and Blair, Beck, Kel, and Kali Bodenhausen; Linda’s brother and sister-in-law Bill and Ruth Ottinger, Van Buren, Ark.; several nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law, other relatives, and many friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Lucille Ottinger.
Linda’s last years were difficult as she bravely faced the health effects and steady decline of Alzheimer’s. The loving care and steadfast commitment of Vance made it possible for Linda to remain at home and rest in peace. The family wishes to thank the angelic caregivers of Home Instead and Freudenthal Healthcare for their respectful, conscientious, and loving care. Linda’s special friendship with Shirley Rowland was an immense blessing and source of comfort.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26 at the Gower Christian Church AFC Building, 203 S. 3rd Street, Gower, Mo. The funeral service will be at 11:00 on Saturday, January 27 at the Gower Christian Church AFC. Burial will be at Allen Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson-Klein Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gower Christian Church or the Heart of America Alzheimer’s Association, 8001 Conser, Suite 240, Overland.
