All services will be held September 28, 2023. Rosary 9:45 a.m., Visitation 10:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church. Fr. Mike Roach presiding. A luncheon will follow the Mass downstairs in the Wooldridge Center at St. Therese. The Committal Service and urn placement will take place 2:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Linda Sue Osterhaus, 76, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023. She was born to the late William and Beverley Merciez on August 14, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, which she called home until 1960, when her family moved to Liberty, Missouri. Here she attended St. Pius High School and Liberty High School. After graduating high school, she worked at Burstein-Applebee where she met the love of her life, Alan Osterhaus. They were married on October 20, 1973, in Kansas City, MO, where they have lived together for 50 years. They became and remain members of St. Therese Parish, a source of faith and strength over the years.
Linda fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a mother, having five children: Jason, Jessica, Sarah, Laura, and Michael. Throughout her years raising children, she was devoted to her children, often running her children to sports practices and events and cheering them on from the stands. Once all her children started school, she began working at St. Therese Early Education Center. She worked at the STEEC and helped care for many children over 12 years until her cancer diagnosis in 2005. She bravely battled many rounds of cancer treatments over the last 18 years, becoming a favorite patient to many nurses and doctors. She handled her diagnosis with strength and grace while continuing to be a wonderful friend, an amazing mother, and grandmother to two granddaughters, Aubrey and Hayden. Linda fought courageously until she was called home on August 25, 2023.
Linda was a loving, faith-filled, caring, compassionate woman, mother, daughter, and friend who loved with all her heart. She enjoyed reading, crosswords, Sunday breakfast with family and friends, and sharing life with everyone she loved. She will be greatly missed and celebrated every day.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John Merciez, and mother and father-in-law.
Survivors include her loving husband of 50 years, Alan Osterhaus; children; Jason (Clara) Osterhaus, Jessica Osterhaus, Sarah (Matthew) Neal, Laura Osterhaus, and Michael Osterhaus; grandchildren Aubrey and Hayden Neal; grand dogs; her cousins; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the International Myeloma Foundation: https://www.myeloma.org/ or St. Therese Catholic Church https://www.sttheresenorth.org
Alan , we are so sorry to hear of Linda’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Evidently she was a beautiful person. She will always be near you in Your heart and in your memories
Mark and Bev Henry
My heart hurts for your loss. Linda was a beautiful person. Always so kind and gentle . She is with the Lord. Rest In Peace Linda.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of a beautiful soul, wife, mother and grandmother! Linda always made me smile at many sporting events we shared together! My heart is saddened by your loss! Hugs to your family!
Deepest Sympathy to all of the Osterhaus Family. Linda was a beautiful loving soul and her legacy will live on thru her family & friends. May your faith in God’s Promise of eternal Peace bring you all comfort at this difficult time.
So very sad to hear this news of Linda’s passing Alan. Know that you have our heartfelt sympathy for you and your families. Prayers and consolation. Betty and Mike Haug, Seneca
Alan and family….we are sorry to hear of your huge loss. Thankful that Linda stated many years with you. Alan and your children. What a blessing ! You will all be on our thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort. May your memories bring your hearts joy and laughter even in the midst of your tears.
Alan & family, So sorry hearing you lost your partner, and the children , their Mother. Our prayers, thoughts & sympathy to all of you. May God bless all of you . Gary & Marilyn Evans
My condolences to you and your family Alan. May Linda rest in the Good Lord’s peace.
My prayers for you all.
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers coming for the family. 50 years full of memories. God bless and keep you all.
Alan, we are so sorry for your loss for you and your children. We’ve been neighbors for at least 35 years. Even though we didn’t see each other that often we would wave to each other when we did see you she will be greatly missed Mike and I along with our children, send our condolences
We’re so sorry to hear this news. Love, prayers and peace to the whole family from all of us. Bob & Cindi and family
Alan,children, brothers,sisters
You have my sincerest sympathy. It is so hard to let them go, but the memories are still with you..Laugh,remember and talk about mom,linda as if she were with you
Love to all
Bonnie Rettele Scott
Alan and Family,
It has been such a pleasure becoming family with you over these past few years. You truly are a family that is surrounded by Love. You all live it! Thanks for being such wonderful role models. We will all be united with your Matriarch before we know it. Love and prayers to each of you!
Alan and Family,
Over the past several years, we have enjoyed sharing family times with you. We have enjoyed the Easter Egg hunts, times when we could truly enjoy seeing the love pour out between each of you. As these times resurface, I have a feeling that we will be able to share the presence of that certain special person. Love and prayers to each of you as you go through this most difficult time.