Linda Lou ( Broekemeier) Buettner, 76 years old, passed from this world to her heavenly home Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the family residence south of Mission, SD. A prayer service was held Sunday, December 1, at the Todd County Fairgrounds, and a Celebration of Life Service was held Monday, December 2, also at the Todd County Fairgrounds.
Linda was taken on her final pasture ride by Steve and MJ Water’s (Carter, SD) team and wagon to the private family cemetery on the ranch that Linda dearly loved and was blessed to raise her family on. Linda’s arrangements were entrusted to Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine, with Pastor Scott Mc-Clellan officiating. Special family and friends provided music for the services.
Linda was born June 20, 1948, the youngest of three children of William and Edna (Mayer) Broekemeier.
Linda grew up on the family farm near Naper. From a young age she learned the value of hard work by helping with many of the farm duties including: milking the cows, feeding the pigs, gathering the eggs and butchering the chickens, to tending the garden, canning, and housework. Many fond memories were made and shared over the years of life growing up on the farm with her parents and siblings, beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Linda attended grade school at a one-room country school. She would either walk through the pasture to get there, or if the snow was too deep, she would walk with her siblings the few miles on the county road to arrive at school. When she was in third grade, the school was consolidated and then she got to ride the bus to the school in Naper. School day or not, Linda could be found daily helping with the milking of the cows and the chicken chores.
Linda graduated from Naper High School in 1966 and attended college in Grand Island, where she obtained a Business Certificate. After college, on the inspiration of her Uncle Frank Broekemeier, Linda moved with two of her friends to San Francisco, CA, where he resided.
During this adventure, Linda would recall going to Chinatown, living in a very small apartment, and experiencing the various things one sees in San Francisco. Thus began her illustrious career in the banking industry, where she worked at a large bank in the booming city.
During a short visit home, Linda and her friends decided not to return to California. With this decision Linda started a waitressing job in Winner, SD, at the West Side Café. One evening while waiting tables, she happened to wait on a table of young men, one being Loren Buettner. After falling for the sweet smiles, Loren proposed to Linda on Valentine’s Day 1969. They were married June 14, 1969, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Naper. They then made their home in Pierre, SD, where Loren drove truck and Linda worked at the Capital.
Approximately one year later they moved back to the Buettner Ranch south of Mission, SD. Here, Loren and Linda started their family of three children: Gered, Gerri and Genna. Linda enjoyed many years being a ranch wife and had cherished memories on the ranch with her close and extended family, and many friends and neighbors.
As Linda settled in Mission, she worked as a substitute teacher for a while before hiring on with the former Farmers State Bank. She would continue to work at the bank in many roles for 40 plus years. Her beautiful personality allowed her to gain many friends and become well known in the community. She finally retired in January 2014 from Well Fargo Bank. For a number of years she also served on the Mission City Chamber of Commerce, helping with big events such as Welcome Neighbor Day.
Linda’s faith in Jesus was a guiding light for her. Prayer was very important to her and she would almost always end her phone calls with her children, reminding them, “Don’t forget to pray!” She grew up attending the Zion’s Lutheran Church in Naper, and was confirmed there in 1962. Also, notably, she was actively involved in the Mission Zion’s Lutheran Church for a great number of years. Always lending a helping hand where needed. In later years she attended the Valentine Berean Church.
At a young age, she became one of the first members in the newly started Naper 4-H Chapter. Later, as a parent, she signed on as a Todd County 4-H Leader and remained one for 40 plus years until her health would not allow her to be actively involved anymore. She enjoyed being a chaperone to 4-H Camp. She especially enjoyed watching her daughter Genna and granddaughter Jordyn at the 4-H rodeos and horse events.
Linda was known for keeping excellent record of times and points as well as taking many pictures and videos. While not an avid horse person herself, many a times, to her surprise, Linda found herself holding a horse for various youth. Linda continued to attend the Todd County Fair every year with the help of her family and caregivers, and she always enjoyed flipping the pancakes for the pancake feed. She remained a dedicated supporter of 4-H her entire life.
Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2005. She valiantly fought the symptoms and onset. She educated herself and family to the various aspects of the terrible disease. While she was never one to ask for sympathy or pity, occasionally one would hear her say “this dumb Parkinson’s!”
In the spring of 2019, Linda had a fall that caused her to lose the majority of her mobility and independence. With her family, it was decided that at home care would be provided. No one was sure how this monstrous undertaking would be possible or feasible, however God graciously provided them with wonderful in-home caregivers, including Loren and Genna. All whom provided excellent care until Linda’s passing.
The family would like to offer a special recognition and appreciativeness to Linda’s caregivers: Cheryl McCall Montgomery, Rachel Bailey, Hillary Sherwood, Eileen Yoder, Jackie Gartland Lewis, Barb Little Elk, Sara Turner, Mary Ann Luxon Night Pipe, Kylee Swalley, and LaDawn Smith. Also, an acknowledgement of deep gratitude to Jocille Brinda, who has been Linda’s friend and nurse throughout her entire Parkinson’s journey.
There are many things that Linda will be remembered for: devotion to her family and God, love of walks, baking bread, her delicious cinnamon rolls and Russian tea cakes. Linda was always up for MOST adventures that her family invited her to be a part of. She loved pasture rides, drives through the Black Hills, rides in the side by side with Gerri and Chad, and supporting her kids and grandkids in all of their activities throughout life. She also enjoyed many years of cheering Loren and Gered on at tractor pulls and pickup pulls. Her many adventures included Niobrara River tubing trips and meeting up with loved ones at Butte Pancake Days.
Linda was well known for taking pictures any chance she could, whether or not her participants were willing. In the many pictures she took, she did a great job adding her finger and cutting off peoples’ heads, much to her amusement also.
In the calm of the morning, she enjoyed watching the morning news with her coffee, often with a sweet cat by her side, and was an avid watcher of the weather channel. Linda was also always up for a good game of cards, rummy, golf and pitch were some of her favorites to play. She never left the house without her hair being “done.” Her no nonsense way of saying things was often direct and also humorous. Linda’s witty sense of humor and comebacks, as well as her loving hugs will be missed the most.
Linda was preceded in death by her loving parents, sister, and father and mother-in-law.
She is survived by her husband, Loren of Mission, SD; her son, Gered Buettner of Rapid City, SD; daughters, Gerri (Chad) Johnston of Keystone, SD, and Genna (Jeremy) McCall of Mission, SD; her brother, Ernie (Jean) Broekemeier of Morgan, MN; four granddaughters, Jordyn Buettner, Bozeman, MT, Shyloh, Emmaline and Abilene McCall of Mission, SD; brother-in-law Ken Wonnenburg of Tea, SD;sister-in-law Linda Powers of Sioux Falls, SD, brother and sister-in-law Rob and Nancy Critcher of Havelock, NC; six nieces, four nephews, numerous extended family; her lifetime childhood best friend Maxine Mc-Carthy and special family friend Susan Blade.
Linda’s favorite colors were red, purple and turquoise. In honor of her memory and valiant fight with Parkinson’s, the family requests that you wear bright colors to celebrate her life.
Memorials can be given to the Rosebud/Todd County 4-H Program, P.O. Box 1125, Mission, SD 57555, to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126, USA.
