Linda Worland Obituary

Linda Ruth Worland

Linda Ruth (Burks) Worland, 82, died Wednesday, July 12, 2023, after a full life of family, love, and faith.

Linda was born Dec. 31, 1940, in Toledo, to Robert and Marcella "Molly" Burks. The eldest of five children, Linda often cared for her sister and brothers and she relished times playing with cousins and neighbors in and around her Peru Street neighborhood. Linda crafted many plans for her life. A gifted artist, talented seamstress, and avid reader, she excelled at school. She graduated as valedictorian of Notre Dame Academy in Toledo. For a time, she studied to become a nun, but heard a call to be a mother instead.

When she married Don Worland on Oct. 1, 1960, Linda made and designed her own wedding dress and baked the wedding cake. Together, they welcomed seven children in eight years, moving from Bryan to Defiance to South Bend, Indiana, and then to Tiffin. Linda could pack a camper in a flash, work miracles with a pound of hamburger, design and sew magnificent costumes for elementary and high school plays, and loved moving to new houses, making each one into a warm and inviting home by introducing color, contrast, and the perfectly refurbished (or repainted) furniture. Linda's home rang with laughter and love, welcoming children and their friends, teaching her kids to be independent thinkers and loving them for who they were.

Proudly, she was co-owner of The Cloth Gallery in Tiffin beginning in 1982, which featured gorgeous fabrics and notions as well as Linda's ability to design and sew intricate, custom-made wedding and prom dresses for many in Seneca County and beyond, including all her daughters. Linda also worked as a bookkeeper alongside Don in the insurance agency, Myers and Smith Insurance.

Retiring early, Linda and Don traveled full-time in their Airstream trailer for several years, crossing the country on caravans, and visiting family, always arriving for important occasions such as graduations, First Communions, sporting events, but also willing to be present in the daily lives of their kids and grandkids. They settled in Winter Haven, Florida, joining a vibrant St. Matthew's Catholic church community where Linda was a Eucharistic minister, Stephen's minister, active in Cursillo, and worked at the parish thrift store. She dabbled in art forms ranging from sketching to painting, from quilting to stained glass, from beading to flower arranging. Whenever she had a pencil in her hand, there was sure to be a lovely drawing to follow.

After Don died in 2007, Linda continued exploring the country and the world. She married Ken Stirneman on June 18, 2008, and he survives. Linda and Ken embraced all things Disney, from frequent visits to the theme parks to taking 13 Disney cruises. In 2014, they moved to Orange City, Florida, and John Knox Village where they were active members of the community.

Linda developed Alzheimer's disease and eventually moved to the Memory Care unit of Majestic Oaks at John Knox in 2020. There, she was well cared for by a capable staff, and her loving husband, Ken, whose daily visits meant the world to Linda and her whole family.

Linda's survivors include her husband, Ken Stirneman; children, Mary (Keith) Napier, Jan (Keith) Kaiser, Joe (Annette) Worland, Anne (Lars) Jenner, Paul (Deirdre Mylod) Worland, Julie (Michael) Jenkins, and Kent Stocking; 17 grandchildren, Kirstin Berlan, Eric Kaiser, Jessica DiGregorio, Molly Porters, Nathaniel Worland, Andrew Kaiser, Joe Napier, Dani Napier, Jesper Jenner, Craig Kaiser, Sarah Jenkins, Thomas Worland, Emily Jenkins, Nick Kaiser, Charlotte Worland, Matthew Jenkins, and Finn Jenner; and six great-grandchildren. Two exchange students, Fabio Lazzati of Milan, Italy, and Paloma Alvarez of Barcelona, Spain, remain a part of Linda's family. She is also survived by Ken's children, Tim Stirneman, Greg (Kay) Stirneman, Karen (John) Krabbenhoft; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Don; and daughter, Rebecca Stocking.

Linda's funeral will be 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 23 Dogwood Trail, DeBary, Florida. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by Altman-Long Funeral Home and Crematorium of DeBary.

Perhaps it is fitting that this vibrant lady so loved purple, which happens to be the signature color for Alzheimer's Association. If desired, memorial gifts may be made in Linda's name to Alzheimer's Association or Halifax Health â€" Hospice Care in Orange City, Florida.