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Linda Sue Steffe
December 26, 1955 - May 23, 2023
Linda Sue Steffe, 67, of Topeka Kansas, passed away on May 23, 2023 at Midland Hospice Care Home in Topeka. Linda lost a hard fought 6 year battle with metastatic colon cancer.
She was born on December 26, 1955 to David Neale Steffe and Joyce Karen Steffe (Larsen) in Sioux City , IA. Linda was the oldest sister to Kathleen and Steven.
She graduated in 1974 from Arnolds Park High School in Arnolds Park, IA. Linda attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake IA for two years before marrying Fred Schmidt Jr.. in Milford, IA. They were married for 9 years before subsequently divorcing. After their divorce Linda moved to Sioux City IA and began to work for Great Western Casualty Insurance Co. she was transferred to their Boise, Idaho office and lived there for several years. While living in Boise, she finished her college degree obtaining two Bachelor of Science degrees. She then moved to Topeka KS to be closer to family. Linda obtained a teaching degree at Emporia State College and began her lifelong teaching career. She was substitute teaching in the Topeka 501 school district just a few weeks before her death.
Teaching took Linda to several states including Alaska and South Dakota. She taught at Savoonga, AK on the St. Lawrence Island in the North Pacific Ocean, at Arctic Village in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and at Fort Yukon to name a few. She would fly in on a bush plane to these remote villages with a couple of suitcases and a few boxes of provisions. When she needed to stock back up, she would fly to Nome or Fairbanks. Once during a trip to Nome, she watched the famous Alaskan Iditarod Race finish. She also taught on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and spent a few summers working in Yellowstone National Park when school was closed.
She had been to the northernmost tip of the 50 states (Barrow AK) and the southernmost tip (Key West FL). She also went on her bucket list trip to Hawaii in 2018. She was very brave to travel and work in these remote locations by herself. This was also how she faced her battle with cancer, undergoing years of treatments, procedures and surgeries. Just a few weeks prior to her death, she interviewed for a clinical trial at the KU Research Cancer Center in Kansas City.
Linda is survived by her sister, Kathy Fox and brother Steve Steffe. She is also survived by her nephew Christopher Fox and his wife Valdeane and their children Nicholas, Sophia, Liam and Melany, her niece Whitney Wetta and her husband Marshall and their children Maxwell and Matilda. Many aunts, uncles and cousins as well. She was especially close to cousins Bob of Iowa, Dirlene of Oregon and Karen of Colorado. Her good friend Chrystal of Topeka and Steve of Colorado and Lyndah of Melvern kept in close touch with her over the years. Linda loved to write letters and cards and wrote many over the years to family and friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her father David, her niece Margie Ann Fox in infancy and her mother Joyce who passed away 19 days prior to Linda's death. For this reason, there will be a double memorial service held for them on Wednesday June 21 at 10:00 at Dove Funeral Home in Topeka, KS.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hashmi and his staff for their care over the years. Although her stay at Midland Care was brief, we would also like to thank the staff there for their care and comfort to her.
Read Prayers and Memory's for “Linda Sue Steffe”
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My sympathy goes out to Linda's other Family and Friends. I admired her so much as she fought a courageous battle against cancer. We'll miss her, but be thankful she's no longer in pain. Linda went to join her beloved Mother, in Heaven. We're comforted by fond memories.
What a sweet picture of Linda! It was nice to read so many interesting things about her. She certainly fought a hard fight, and I am sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Barb (Cancer Center)
Dear Members of Linda Sue Steffe’s Family,
On behalf of the Topeka Public Schools family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved
substitute teacher who served with Topeka Public schools for many years. She loved working with
children and was always willing to serve at any school where she was needed. Her gentle spirit and
kindness will always be remembered by the staff in Topeka Public Schools and it is part of her legacy
that impacted countless children and staff members. The Topeka Public Schools family are thinking of
your entire family.
Mrs. Steffe’s kind spirit lives on through all she impacted. Take solace in remembering the joy she
brought to all she knew through her infectious smile and loving, kind spirit. May your positive
memories uplift and comfort you and your family. We thank you for sharing Mrs. Linda Sue Steffe with
Topeka Public Schools.
Your family remains in our thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Topeka Public School District
Kathy, Steve and family. So sorry to hear of both Linda and your mom's passing. Two summers ago my wife and I had the pleasure of being able to visit with Linda at length at the Arnolds Park HS Alumni gathering and we had a great time catching up on many lost years. I just found out today about your mom's and Linda's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely Dan and Fawn Rogers
My deepest sympathies for Linda’s family. She was so nice in high school and after reading her obituary it sounds like she spread happiness to people all over North America. I’m sorry I did not get keep our friendship current after school