Linda Louise Ward Mosier, Hays, entered Heaven on June 25, 2025, surrounded at the time of her passing by family and skilled, caring HaysMed staff.
Linda was born the first of four children to Arlin and Shirley (Kilmer) Ward on June 6, 1944 in Valdosta, Georgia at Moody Air Force Base. There, Arlin served in the U.S. Army as a pilot and first lieutenant. This significant date in American History was also D-Day, known as the beginning of the end of World War II. Linda’s mother would often tell the story of Linda’s birth, recounting that the hospital staff repeated ‘your baby was born on D-Day!’ while neglecting to inform her upon numerous requests that she had delivered a girl.
Following his military service, Arlin worked for Pillsbury Mills and then went on to become a professor at Kansas State University in the Grain Science department while Shirley kept their home, raising Linda and her sisters, Kay and Barbara and brother Kenneth. Linda attended four different grade schools and three different high schools between her family’s time in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Manhattan, Kansas and Springfield, Illinois.
Like her parents, Linda met her husband, Steven Mosier at Kansas State University. They married on June 5, 1965, at Danforth Chapel on the KSU campus. Their wedding party included Linda’s sisters, Kay and Barbara and Steve’s twin brother, Stan, as well as lifelong friend, David Leopold. Linda obtained a degree in elementary education and went on to teach first grade in Aurora, Nebraska. Steve, a veterinarian, served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1967-1969, and he and Linda were stationed in St. James, Minnesota during this time. St. James also served as the birthplace of their first son, Darren (DOB and DOD 10-20-1967) and first daughter, Karen.
Linda and Steve moved to Hays, Kansas in 1970 in order to be closer to both sets of parents; Linda’s in Manhattan and Steve’s in Hoxie. Their daughter Kristen was born in Hays in 1971. Daughters Karla and Kayleen were born in Russell in 1974 and 1976, respectively.
In addition to supporting Steve in his over fifty years of service in veterinary medicine, Linda was elected to the Hays School Board for 12 years. She was nominated to the State of Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for six years. She was an entrepreneur as owner of The Gathering Place, a gift shop featuring Kansas artists and items. She and Steve co-sponsored a Special Olympics basketball team in Hays for over twenty years. Linda and Steve also supported the annual Festival of Faith in Hays. This interdenominational worship gathering was Linda’s favorite event. Linda was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She saw and believed the best in others at all times. One of her greatest legacies was captured by her grandson who said of her, “It’s always a good idea to spend time with Grandma Linda because you leave a better person.”
Linda’s beloved place was Estes Park, Colorado, where her parents built a rustic cabin still visited by family today. Linda instilled her love for this area in her daughters and grandchildren; Karen, Kristen and Karla reside in Estes Park along with grandchildren Ethan, Decker, Isaac, Ben, and Hannah, all born and raised there. Her favorite books were The Bible and The Secret Garden. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 23. The Goodness of God and Forever in Blue Jeans were her favorite songs. Her favorite words were: faith, hope, love, grace, wisdom, healing, better, forgiveness and smiling, all of which she embodied.
Survivors include four daughters: Karen Nicholson and husband Blake, Kristen Hill and husband Christian, Karla DuBois and husband Justin, all of Estes Park, Colorado, and Kayleen Geist and husband Garrett of Wilson, two sisters, Kay Taylor and brother-in-law Chris of Fort Collins, Colorado and Barbara Pratt of Estes Park, Colorado, brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Robin of Fruita, Colorado, five grandchildren: Blake “Decker”, Ben, and Hannah Nicholson, Ethan and Isaac Hill, as well as nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son Darren and husband Steve, and brother-in-law Stan Pratt.
Family Inurnment will be in the Hoxie Cemetery at a future date.
Memorials are suggested to: Arc of Central Plains 600 Main StreetHays, KS 67601 or Jana’s Campaign Suite 204 Hadley Office Center 205 E. 7th Street.Hays, Kansas 67601
Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of Linda may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com