Linda Lou Kowalski of Richland, Washington passed away a year ago on March 19, 2020 at the age of 74. She was born to Walter and Marie Sheffield in Huron, South Dakota. During her formative years Linda attended school in a one-room grade school near her family’s farm in Beadle County. She later graduated from high school in Wessington Springs and went on to Northwest College of Commerce in Huron.

She was married to Bob Kowalski in 1965 after which the two made their way westward beginning in Colorado. Due to Bob’s work in power line construction, they lived in many places including Oregon, Idaho, and Montana as they started their family, eventually settling in Kennewick, Washington in 1975 where they raised their three boys. Linda and Bob divorced in 1987 and began new lives.

Linda worked for Kennewick Irrigation District then eventually retired from Fluor Hanford, Inc. in HR and Benefits. She became a member of Central United Protestant Church in the mid 80’s where she made many friends, especially her long-time friend, Fred Stout, and she eventually became a Communion Care Caller visiting those who were not able-bodied. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi for many years during the 1970’s and 80’s. She loved playing games, cards and especially Bunco with family and friends. Linda was the impetus of helping so many relatives, friends, and especially her three boys, to develop great memories sharing time on the Oregon Coast and around a campfire in the mountains at their property in Packwood, WA.

Linda was always complimented on how pretty she was and will be remembered for her sense of humor, how she laughed until she cried especially when her brother Dean was around, for her love of animals especially Ellie, and for the love she had for her three sons. She will be truly missed.

She is survived by her grandchildren, all of whom she adored and were the apples of her eye and they are: Analiese and Macie, Cody (Chloe) and Josh (Bailey), and her great-grand daughter, Enslee. She is also survived by her three sons, Michael (Denise), Alan (Te’ Werner), Rob (Jose Luis Munoz), and her sister Beverly Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Marie, her sisters Elaine, Lorraine and brothers LuVerne, Keith and Dean.

On behalf of Linda, her sons would like to thank all of the staff, her angels as she called them, at Ruan’s Garden of Kennewick where mom resided for the last two years of her life. Thank you for the great care you provided to our mom!

Services will be held at Einan’s Sunset Gardens, 915 Bypass Hwy in Richland, WA on Friday April 9, 2021 and will start with an inurnment at 10:00 a.m. (standing room only) followed by a memorial service at approximately 10:30 in the event center followed thereafter by a reception. The 10:30 am memorial service will be streamed live and the recording will be available for viewing afterward. It can be accessed by visiting

www.sunsetgardenstricities.com/einans-funeral-home/ and searching the obituaries for Linda Kowalski.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Linda’s name to the POPP Tri-Cities, a no-kill animal shelter, by going to their website at

www.popptricities.org, or calling them at (509) 943-4720.