Linda Flower LeMay was born on December 24, 1942, in Walla Walla, Washington to Edward and  Bethel.   She graduated high school in Prairie City, Oregon and married George Orace Masonheimer  in 1960.  They had two daughters, Lorie and Vicky.  Linda became a single mom at 23, and worked long hours to support her young girls.  She married Rollin Dean Friesen in 1966 and they had one daughter, Beth.  With this marriage, she also became a stepmother to girls, Tammy, Renee and Robin.  In later years, Robin and Renee often visited and became close to Linda.  Robin called her Momma Linda and said that she was the reason that when Robin became a stepmom, she knew how to be a good stepmom because Linda had been such a good teacher. 

As a long-time military wife, Linda was the rock of the family, moving to a new destination every 18 months or so.  After Beth was born, the family began moving: first to Clovis, New Mexico, then Panama, Central America, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and back to the West Coast, spending time in Bellingham, The Dalles and finally the Tri-Cities.  She was an expert in packing and guiding her girls in the art of meeting people and learning about new cultures and different ways of life.  She made friends easily and always ended up with a new batch of recipes to entertain family and friends with.   After the military life was over, the family moved a few more times, to California and then to Florida, but in 1989, she decided it was time to come back to Kennewick.

Linda was a stay at home Mom for many years. She didn’t work outside the home until her girls were older, but she always had some side job or business to earn money and to keep things interesting.  From designing and sewing exotic stuffed animals to sell or give away, to baking cookies for young serviceman at any military base they were living – she was always looking for a way to connect with people.  She re-entered the workplace in the late 70’s and went to work for the Kennewick School District in the Kennewick High Attendance Office.  She left the school district and became a property manager for Robert Young and Associates.  During her time in California, she was a Congressional Aide.  When she returned to Kennewick, she became the primary caregiver to her grandchildren and many other children who also called her Grandma.  

Linda’s first priority was family; she always made sure that her children, grandchildren and great-grandson knew how much she loved them and how proud they made her.   Family get-togethers were filled with food, laughter and lots of hugs.   An avid reader she always had at least one book going.  She loved gardening, wherever she lived there was a flower garden.  Her favorite flowers included lilacs, violets, lilies of the valley and yellow roses.  She loved to tell a good story and wrote poetry.  She never missed her grandchildren’s sporting or school events and was the family’s biggest cheerleader.  Born on Christmas Eve, she loved all things Christmas: baking goodies, decorating her home and singing Christmas Carols joyfully. 

Linda left us October 23, 2017, in Kennewick, Washington, at the age of 74 after a brief, but valiant battle with Wegener’s disease. 

Mama, our hearts are broken and we miss you terribly, but we know that your journey here was over and that heaven was waiting.  Give our love to Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Molly, Aunt Darlene and all the others who are waiting. 

Left to mourn are daughters:  Lorie Blehm (Ken); Vicky Mason (Frank); Beth Diaz; Grandchildren:  Ashley, Matthew, Alyssa, Lauren, Lexy, Jacob, Daniel and Olivia; Step-grandchildren: Nathan, Jewel and Raven; Great-grandson:  Izaac; brother  Loyal, sister Donna;  many extended family and friends who are like family.

Services will be held 2:00 pm on 11/18/17 at the Living Room Church in Kennewick.