Linda Katherine Kortum, 54, passed on to the loving arms of the lord on November 9th, 2011.
Linda was born July 17th, 1957 to Larry and Mary Ann Riley. She was the most generous, kind, and loving person you would ever meet and will be sorely missed. Linda grew up in Anaconda, Montana which she always said gave her common sense and a strong work ethic. She met Maggie’s Dad, Bob Kortum in 1973 and fell deeply in love. They started a life together and had their daughter, Maggie in 1983. They cherished her and their life together. Linda and Bob have remained very dear friends. Maggie was the light of Linda’s eye. When she talked about Maggie and Michael (Linda’s grandson born in 2008) she lit up and shined.
Linda always had a soft heart for the homeless, the needy and the sick. She would give her last dime to the man on the corner, and never judged him. She had a passion in her heart for camping, spending time at Seeley Lake with longtime friend, Jim Somppi. She loved fix-it projects around her house, and spent any extra time with her grandson. She had a soft spot for her Dad and pampered him to the very end. He referred to her as “his darling daughter”. She loved her mother dearly and looked to her often. They shared the most endearing connection a mother and daughter could wish for. She loved seeing her brothers on the holidays. She enjoyed traveling with her sister, Mary and enjoyed long phone conversations as well as time together with her.
Linda was a member of the Montana Army National Guard for over 20 years. Linda was currently the State Equal Employment Manager for the Guard. Linda was well respected and even more so loved. She touched the lives of so many people at work, on the street, in her family, and especially her Daughter, Grandson, Mother, Father, Brothers, and Sister.
Linda is survived by her Mother and Father, Mary Ann and Larry Riley of Anaconda; Her Daughter, Maggie Kortum of Helena; Her grandson Michael Kortum of Helena; Sister, Mary Nicholes of Arizona; Brothers Mike Riley (Sheryle) of Texas; Larry Riley (Colleen) of Kansas. She is also survived by Nieces, Jolynn Corr (Brian); Tricia Vasquez (Vince) both of Arizona. Katy and Britini Riley, as well as many, many more aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends all of whom she adored.
Linda was a classy woman, and she will forever live on in each and every one of our hearts. We will miss you Mom!
Visitation will be held at Retz Funeral Home on Monday, November 14th, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service starting at 6:00 pm at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Community with cremation to follow. A reception will be held after services at the church. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Anaconda, Mt on Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established in Linda Kortum’s name at Wells Fargo Bank. Donations may be made at any Wells Fargo location. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Linda, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Chloe says
Sadden and shocked over your loss. My prayers are with your family. God bless.
Abby Laughlin says
To the Riley family,
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother. Linda was a very loving person and had a one of a kind humor that put everyone at ease. Again, so sorry for you loss.
Abby Laughlin
nola arvish says
BOB AND MAGGIE..I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS…JUST KNOW YOUR MOM LOVED YOU AND WAS SO PROUD OF YOU…TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND YOUR SON…KNOW SHE WAS LOVED BY MANY.. TAKE CARE AND KNOW YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS…
Della Pedersen says
Maggie and Mary, I’m so sorry for your loss. Linda was such a giving lady. The times we did share I remember we had a good time. Keep your chin up. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Della
Cathy & David Sebastian says
Our deepest sympathies on your loss. We’re thinking of you.
rock corcoran says
linda you always had a smile when i said hellow to,good-bye my neighborhood friend,rock.said a prayer to the family.
Beverly Villa says
I was so sorry to read of the death of Linda. I know your loss is great. Deepest sympathy from me and the whole Villa family. God give you peace.
Tim & Peggy Kenny says
We both worked with Linda at the National Guard, she and Peggy were both EEO counselors at the time. So so sorry of her passing she was indeed a very special lady and we are proud to cal her “friend”
Anne Maroney says
My thoughts and prays are with you Maggie and your family. I worked with Linda for several years with the National Guard, she was a great person. We use to go to “Alive at 5” and always had a great time. I will miss her dearly.
Brian Corr & Family says
To Mary Ann , Larry, Mary Pat , Larry and Mike, all the Rileys and Kortum family.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Aunt Linda was sweet , funny and a beautiful person. Our kids, me and Jo Lynn will miss her. We are here to support you all in this difficult time. We will see you on Thursday.
Love the Corr’s.
Billl Somppi says
We may never know the extent of your pain Linda, we do know that a loving God will ease it with His mercy and His sacrifice for all.
Our sympathies to the family and friends who will miss Linda on this earth and will be reunited in with her.
Tana Boland says
Myself and my son Bobby are saddened by the news of Linda. Linda and I had a lot of fun times together, I am so sorry we didn’t get a chance to get together more since I moved to Great Falls. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with all of her family and friends. Tana and Bobby
Kathy Rucker says
I’m saddened to hear about Linda – my thoughts and prayers are with you, Maggie.
Charles Petrik says
Helen and I extend our sincere sympathies to the Kortum and Riley families. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Charles
Maggie Kortum says
Mom, you are so sorely missed. My heart aches for your pain. You have taught me so much about life and death. You raised me to be strong and I am doing my best. I love you, mom. I carry your heart, I carry it in my heart.
Tony Kimmi says
Larry, Colleen and girls;
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. It is never easy to lose a loved one, but it sounds like Linda was a really neat person to have known.
Riki Nichols says
Maggie, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Riki
Hal Martin says
My condolences to the Riley family. I had known Linda in her early life in Anaconda. She was a kind and gentle soul. I know she will be deeply missed by many.
Tina Grismer says
I knew Linda through the Guard. I don’t even know how to put it in words to say how much of an amazing woman Linda was. Linda has a special place in my heart….I HIGHLY respected her, and she always made me feel like a specail person, and truely appreciated the things I do at work. My condolences go out to her family, especially her Daughter and Grandson that she spoke of often, you two were the joy of her life and she loved you tremendously…Linda you will missed!
Wanda Marcille says
Our thoughts and hearts are with you all. We are so glad to have known such a kind, generous, and fun person. She will be missed. When we think of her we will remember the good life she had and see her in the wonderful people she brought into this world. Love you Linda.
Wanda(Kortum)and Brian Marcille and family
Michelle Hubert says
Although I did not know Linda, our thoughts are prayers are with the entire Riley family.
Sending prayers of strength, and in finding comfort in each other.
May God wrap his arms around each of you and give you peace.
Michelle
Joe Elpel says
I am so sorry to hear about Linda. My prayers to everyone.
Lani Wilson says
With my deepest sympathy.Linda was a very nice person.I knew her since about 1976.I grew up in Anaconda. I talked to her every once in awhile here in Helena when we ran into each other at different places.She will be missed.
Tracy Mabry says
I am so sorry to hear about Linda! I don’t remember where I met her but know that I always enjoyed her! My sympathy to her family. She was a great lady.
Tracy Mabry
Jacqueline Perez says
Kortum Family & Riley Family,
May the “Lord” give you peace and comfort through this time.
Praying for your family.
Jacqueline Perez
Farm Bureau Agent
Aletha Massengale says
Linda was such a light hearted individual, always pointing out the brighter side of a situation, her friendship was a balm during rough times and her quiet sense of humor would always bring out a smile. My condolences to you, Maggie, and to the rest of Linda’s family.
Carla Stephenson says
While I did not know Linda, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Riley family. May God bless you all with wonderful memories and comfort you during this difficult time. Carla
Bill Roberts says
Family and Friends of Linda,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of what sounds like an amazing woman! It is obvious Linda will be missed and her memories will live forever in the lives she touched…and it sounds as if she touched many lives and all in a positive way.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and may the Lord continue to guide you and Bless you all!
Bill Roberts
Friend of Larry Riley in Kansas
Neil Cordre says
Larry I was very sorry to hear about your sister’s passing.
I will keep your family in my prayers.
Neil Cordre
Todd Jaramillo says
Lary,
Trina and I are saddened by the loss of your sister. You will be in our Prayers.
Todd and Trina Jaramillo
Tony & Barbara Scheuler says
So sorry for your loss, Our prayers and hearts are with you and your family during this very hard time.
Michelle & Peter Van Nice says
Maggie – so deeply sorry for the loss of your Mom. Hold tight to all your memories. She will be watching over you from heaven.
Keeping you in our prayers.
Tiffany Smith says
Thinking and praying for comfort and wonderful memories for your family during this most difficult time.
Aaron Medina says
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!
Tony Morrison says
It was such an honor and pleasure to know Linda. What a wonderful person. I worked with Linda in both logistics and EO. She cared so deeply for all she knew and was always ready to help.
Maggie, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you.
Kris Bronson says
To Linda’s Family,
She will be truly missed by the State Equal Employment Family. I have known her for just two years, but I looked forward to seeing her at meetings and talking with her on our monthly teleconferences. You are in my heart and prayers. May God be with you and Linda.
Kris Bronson
Shannon Morley (Schulte) says
My dear godmother, I was so sad to hear of your passing! I know we haven’t kept in touch well over the years, but I thought of you often and I have missed you much.
I offer my condolences to you wonderful family with sadness in my heart. May you rest in peace.
Alicia Nyland says
We are heart broken to hear of Linda’s passing. The whole SEEM community sends their prayers and thoughts to your family. Linda touched all of us in a special way.
Santana Kortum says
Some of my earliest memories of are of Linda. When she and Bob married, I adored them and especially her. When they separated, she made an effort to stay in our lives. She came to weddings, funerals and even aunt Paula’s 60th right after she had a serious medical emergency long long long after their divorce. When I moved to Helena with my boys, she welcomed us and took the boys on many afternoons and over night. Maggie is right. She had a HUGE heart and she will be missed.
Jeani McCabe-Morrison says
Linda a treasure to have known her and may she rest in peace and watch over all of you until you meet again.
May God Bless you all
Lis says
My deepest sympathies goes out to Ms. Linda’s family.
Doris Sumner says
I am going to miss you Linda. I have always enjoyed seeing you at our EO conferences. You came to Vermont in 2007 to help me out and you always gave so much. I loved how you lit up when you talked of Maggie and your grandson. Really will miss you here but know you are there! Your friend always, Doris
Dan says
God Bless Linda’s family.
Patsy Bieber says
My prayers and thoughts and My Heart is with all of you.
Susi says
Condolences
Terri says
Maggie,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom please except my
Sympathy. She was one of my favorite customers what a beautiful smile she always had.
Terri (from Jorgenson’s)
Judith Mathewson says
Linda was a very caring, compassionate, and loving person. She mentored many people and helped them be successful. Her gentleness, strength, and insight into challenges in the world of equal opportunity always amazed me.
She will be greatly missed by our National Guard community and as a friend and support system for those in need. She and her family are in our prayers!
Jewel Davis says
Maggie,
It broke my heart to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was such a sweet spirit and will truly be missed in the SEEM community. May God bless you, your son, and your entire family during this difficult time. If there is anything we can do to make this transition easier, please let me know. Peace and blessings.