Linda Grinder

Linda Kay Grinder was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on May 26th,1942 to Virgil Ray and Edna Eugenia (Barnes) Tibbets. She spent much of her childhood on a dairy farm enjoying farm life and playing outdoors. When Linda was three or four years old, her neighbor, Lilly Bosely invited her to attend church with her at a church in Clearmont, Wyoming where she led Linda to the Lord. In her later years, Linda told her son Brian that she could remember accepting Jesus as her Savior like it was just yesterday. In 1957, after her parents divorced, Linda moved to Powell, Wyoming with her mother and new stepfather, Glenn Landreth. It was in Powell where she met the love of her life Edwin Henry Grinder. They were married on August 24, 1958. After their wedding, Linda and her new husband moved to Pinedale, Wyoming where he worked for the US Forest Service. Edwin's career with the Forest Service necessitated moves to Kemmerer, Wyoming and Council, Idaho.

Although Linda had accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young child, her life was changed again when her husband met Jesus through the ministry of Rev. J. B. Greer. His life was transformed, and he and Linda along with their two oldest sons were baptized at Starkey Hot Springs on April 16, 1967. They became actively involved in church and were founding members of the Council Bible Church. By the early 1970s, Edwin and Linda felt a call to full time ministry. In response to this call, Edwin enrolled at Montana Institute of the Bible (MIB) and moved his growing family to Montana. Linda took an evening course during their first year at MIB, which she thoroughly enjoyed. In 1977, after Edwin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies, he served for several years as the college's business manager. In 1980, he returned to the Forest Service working at ranger stations in Seeley Lake, Montana, Lolo Pass and Potlatch, Idaho.

Linda was devoted to her children's academic success, ensuring that they did their homework first thing every night after school. She volunteered her time working in her children's classrooms as often as possible and served as a substitute teacher from time to time. She could often be found teaching a Sunday school class or working in AWANA. She loved little ones, and spending time with her grandchildren was one of her favorite pastimes. Every new grandchild brought her joy.

In 1986, the Grinder's joined Rocky Mountain Bible Mission, and Linda began her life as a pastor's wife at Lima Community Church in Lima, Montana. Their time with RMBM also included pastorates in Kemmerer, Wyoming and Cascade, Montana. Most summers found her counseling at children's summer camps and working in the snack shack and in the camp kitchen. Linda thrived as a pastor's wife, gladly supporting Edwin and filling in wherever she was needed.

After leaving Cascade, Edwin and Linda joined the Great Falls Rescue Mission, Edwin as the business manager and Linda as a volunteer. They worked at the Rescue Mission until retirement. In their later years, Edwin and Linda lived in Billings, Montana until Edwin's death at the age of 84 on April 24, 2019. Linda lived her last years in the care of her daughter Trina Fry in Billings, Montana and at the Edgewood Nursing Home in Belgrade, Montana. We will miss her wonderful laugh and beautiful smile.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband Edwin Henry Grinder; parents Virgil Tibbets and Edna Landreth; stepfather Glenn Landreth; brothers Raymond Keith Tibbets and Donald Lee Tibbetts; son Jerry Clare Grinder; and infant sons Joel Lee Grinder and John Paul Grinder.

She is survived by her children: daughter-in-law Janet Grinder Mengershausen of Cutbank, MT; son Brian Grinder and wife Joyce of Cheney, WA; daughter Trina Fry and husband Jonathan of Billings, MT; son William Grinder and wife Julie of Cardwell, MT; son Michael Grinder and wife Erika of Bozeman, MT; daughter Elisabeth Newhall and husband Jim of Bozeman, MT; twenty-three grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 1 p.m. at the Cardwell Community Church in Cardwell, Montana.