Linda Ruth (Hottman) Staley

Linda Ruth (Hottman) Staley, longtime Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024 at her home in Seminole at the age of 76 surrounded by her husband, Ed and daughter, Annika.

Linda was born December 31,1947 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Marlin George and Betty Lou (Burns) Hottman. She grew up in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1966. Linda received her bachelor's degree from Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma in 1988.

Linda spoke fondly about her childhood in Iowa. Since the winter months were incredibly cold and blessed with snow, Linda enjoyed sledding with her sister and friends in the neighborhood. She brought her snow shovel to Oklahoma hoping that her children would enjoy the experience, but the shovel ended up being a decoration at Christmas time.

Linda started her library career with the City of Seminole Public Library in 1989. She oversaw the children’s programs and was successful in her endeavors to promote the use of the library with the younger set. In 2000, Linda went to work for the Pioneer Library System, and Linda was hired as the Literacy Coordinator for the Shawnee, Tecumseh, and McLoud branches. She put all her research and knowledge into an English as A Second Language program for the three communities. The Pioneer System encouraged their employees to get involved in the community. Linda did just that, she became a member of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition Board, Shawnee Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Board, and the Crossroads Head Start Family Community Advisory Board. In 2008 she was a member of the Leadership Team Class for Shawnee, Oklahoma. 

Linda liked to have order in the workplace and the home. A label maker displayed with the label, "Label Maker", was her cherished organizing tool. She labeled everything in the home and all of Ed’s tools in the garage. We can only imagine that she may be greeted with a huge label above the pearly gates that says Heaven’s Gates. 

Linda and Ed loved doing things together. They visited Europe, Canada, and all the states west of the Mississippi. They visited eight of the Presidential Libraries. Linda loved to go back to Iowa and visit her parents, her sister, and special childhood friend, Kris Nottger. She loved to have reunions with her cousins in Iowa every chance she got. 

Linda’s favorite past-time was authoring her stories. She wrote stories about her father’s Army stint as a draftee in WWII. She researched his travels in Europe as an Army MP and was able to write a true account of his time in the Army. She drafted stories about her childhood and adventures growing up in Fort Dodge. Linda loved to read. Her favorite books were non-fiction, history, and war novels. She loved to read the bible. In honor of her memory, dedicate yourself to an enjoyable book and cherish the knowledge gained and time spent.

In 1983, Linda completed the training course as prescribed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a Non-Technical Medical Care Aide. Her goal, to provide in-home care for the elderly.

Linda was also a certified Master Gardner. She learned her love for gardening from her father. Her father was immensely proud of his prize iris that came up every year. He also grew plants from seed during the winter months to be planted each new spring. Linda continued her love of gardening by growing new plants from seed as her father did.

Linda had a special love for all her animals. Each dog that she and Ed had were rescue dogs. Her favorite dog, a dachshund named Rocky, lived to be 17 years old. Linda also liked to feed the birds that came to the backyard. She and Ed kept the bird feeder full of a special blend year-round. Even the neighborhood squirrels frequented the good stuff that was in the grass under the feeder.

Linda and Ed were married on April 23, 1984, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. They recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a trip to Branson, Missouri. 

Linda is survived by her husband, Ed, of their home in Seminole; sister, Candy Vandivier of Fort Dodge, Iowa; two sons, Michael Myers and Todd Staley, both of Seminole; daughter and son-in-law, Annika and Brent Jones of Shawnee, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marlin and Betty Hottman.

Memorial services for Linda will be held Friday, September 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Starting Point Seminole (formerly Temple of Praise) 1100 N. University St. in Seminole with Pastor Jeff Nance officiating.

Linda’s hometown Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024 10:00 am at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Inurnment will follow later that afternoon at 2:00 pm. North Lawn Cemetery, Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

Services are under the direction of OK Cremation & Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.