Linda Darlene Nutsch

Linda Darlene (Stolzer) Nutsch, 75, Washington, died Friday, April 14, 2023, at Ascension Via Christie in Manhattan, KS.

Visitation is Thursday, April 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 21, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanover, KS. Pastor Elvin Crosby and Pastor Jill Duis officiated. Musicians were Gay Lynn Manning, Teryl Goeckel, and Reed Wilson. Hymns were “On Eagles Wings,” “In The Garden,” “Lead Me Home,” and “Amazing Grace.”

The pallbearers were Trent Oestreich, Todd Nutsch, Mark Nutsch, Dustin Minge, Tom Hauschel, and Ross Mosteller.

The honorary pallbearers were Brooke Peters, Robin Reed, Glenda Keller, Jacki Zabokrtsky, Doug Goeckel, and Doug Gerleve.

Burial was in the Hanover Cemetery.

Linda was born in Concordia, KS, to Elmer and Lucille (Loges) Stolzer on July 17, 1947. She was baptized August 10, 1947, and confirmed on May 21, 1961, all at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanover, KS. Her schooling began at Emmons Grade School, and she graduated from Washington High School in 1965. Her senior year she was awarded the top “Homemaker of Tomorrow” trophy.

On June 19, 1966, she was united in marriage to Ronold E. Nutsch at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanover. Her mother had only one week to sew her wedding dress, as the wedding was to take place before Ron left for basic training. Linda’s sister, Sandi, was the Maid of Honor and wore her prom dress, as Lucille didn’t have time to make two dresses, and the wedding colors were decided by the color of Sandi’s dress.

Linda was a homemaker, gardener, and farmer/rancher, always helping on the farm while still working outside the home. She worked at the Sale Barn Café before eventually managing the café for several years. She would bake 6–10 pies each week to serve at the café. When she started, her family would enjoy the “flops,” but that soon came to an end as there were no “flops.” After “retiring” from the café with a golden spatula, Linda went to work for K-State Research and Extension in Washington as the 4-H Program Assistant, a position she held for twenty-three years.

Brian and Kristie were Linda’s pride and joy, but she took great pride in serving and working with the 4-H youth. Even after retiring, she would keep up on the 4-H kids she worked with over the years. A lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church, she served on the church council and many church committees. Growing up she was a member of Busy Bee 4-H Club and enjoyed square dancing. She was a member of the Washington County Saddle Club, Extension Homemakers Unit, and served as Busy Bee 4-H Community Leader. For many years, Linda served as the secretary of Francis W. Nutsch Quarter Horse Shows.

She enjoyed her family and friends and playing Pinochle. Family vacations usually involved taking Brian and Kristie to horse shows, rodeos, and the State 4-H Horse Show. Linda enjoyed working ground and the smell of freshly turned soil, and then hauling grain to the elevator. She had many stories of hauling silage too. Checking cattle and working calves in the spring with the help of neighbors was the source of many good stories and another enjoyment for Linda. Family and friends always enjoyed the efforts of her gardening and canning year-round.

Preceding her in death were her parents; an infant daughter, Lisa Renee Nutsch; her mother-in-law, Marjorie Nutsch; father-in-law, Richard Nutsch; and brother-in-law, Norman Nutsch.

Survivors include her husband, Ron; son, Brian; and daughter, Kristie (Verlin) Fulton, all of Washington; and a sister, Sandi (Rick) Blush, Topeka; many sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; and nephews.

A memorial fund is established for the Washington County 4-H Council. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home.