Linda Valentine

Linda Lula Valentine, passed away on June 26 in Boise, ID following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 78 years old.

Linda was born August 25, 1944, in Lewistown, MT to Roy and Mary May Valentine. She grew up on the family farm in Moccasin, MT with her older siblings, Ray and Connie. Linda married Ian Steel in Benchland, MT. They later divorced. They had two children, Chris and Marni.

Linda received a Bachelor of Education from Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT. She student taught in Spokane, WA and began her teaching career in Great Falls, MT. She taught in the Great Falls Public School System for twenty-five years. Her most memorable years were teaching kindergarten at Lewis and Clark Elementary.

Masonic organizations were an important part of Linda's life. She was active in Eastern Star, Daughter's of the Nile, and a Rainbow Girl's mom. She volunteered for many years at the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic in Great Falls.

In 2020, Linda left her home-state of Montana to move to Boise, ID to live near her daughter and son-in-law. It is likely those were some of the best years of her life leaving many fun and lasting memories for Marni and Matt.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Marni and son-in-law Matt McDowell of Boise, ID; her son Chris Steel, and his family Rachel, Eric, and Ryan of Kingston, WA; and her brother and sister-in-law Ray and Gayle Valentine of Hobson, MT. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Mary May Valentine, and her sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Ted Tjernberg.

Ms. Valentine, Linda Lu or mom will be remembered as always having a smile on her face, a positive attitude and her trademark parting words of "love you."
We invite you to share your cherished memories and photographs of Linda on her memorial page. Please join her family for lunch on August TBD at TBD in Great Falls to share your memories.