Linda J. Ford, 81

Linda Joyce Ford left this earthly world March 20, 2024 surrounded by her family in Cody. Two spine surgeries, a heart attack and triple bypass surgery, uterine, colon, nor breast cancer could knock her down, but two tumors in her pancreas won the hard fought battle.

Linda was the eldest of eight children born to James and Mildred Weisbeck of rural Bennett County November 30, 1942.

Her first four years were spent being spoiled by her beloved grandpa Fay...then came along Jim, then Jerry, John, Robert, Mary, Frank and Roxanne and life was never the same. Ha!

Linda attended school in Martin until she left in her junior year after a heated debate with a “less than knowledgeable idiot teacher.” It was the principle of the matter she said and never regretted it. She enjoyed meeting many inspiring people including Robert Kennedy, Joe Lewis and Meadowlark Lemon.

In the spring of 1958 she met her future husband Merle Ford of Merriman and November 20, 1959 they were united in marriage. From this union three children were born Monica, Marsha and Matt. (Once Matt was born, her heart problems began! Ha!)

Linda and Merle made their home in Merriman. When she wasn’t caring for her young children, she kept busy helping at Olsen’s Greenhouse, working the Bookmobile when it came to western Cherry County, fund raising for the American Heart Society, and lending a hand wherever it was needed. She was instrumental in getting a newer, more modern ambulance for Merriman, Cody, and surrounding areas; becoming one of the first EMTs for it.

She was also very involved in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for years. Later she worked for JC Penney in Gordon while her kids were in high school. Her true calling came once she had an empty nest when she established a senior meal program in Merriman, and for 20 straight years prepared and cooked a four course meal five days a week for anywhere from 12-25 diners - pan frying chicken every Wednesday! She kept many people well nourished those 20 years!

She and Merle retired in 2008 and moved from their home of 50+years to be closer to a daughter near Lincoln, where she once again wore the chef’s hat and prepared many lunches for their church community of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seward.

They returned to Cherry County in 2016 where, until the cancer returned, she spent the remainder of her life enjoying the quiet life and 17 great grandkids. (Ok, maybe not so quiet. Ha...)

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Robert, John, Jerry and Mary.

She is survived by her husband, Merle of Cody; daughters, Monica Ford of Louisiana and Marsha Manson (Dave) of Washington, and son Matthew (Loretta) of Cody; brothers, Jim Weisbeck of Merriman, Frank Weisbeck of Lincoln and sister, Roxanne Farley of Winner; seven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, many friends and extended family.

The world lost a beloved lady, and she will be greatly missed but she went on ahead to prepare a feast - of her famous cinnamon rolls!

Memorial service for Linda Joyce Ford will be held at a later date, in Cody.

Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is entrusted with service arrangements.