Linda Jean Sanford

During high school she was honored to be on the Homecoming Court. After graduation, she attended

Western Michigan University, and transferred to Ferris State. Call it luck or fate, but this move change

Linda’s world forever when she met the man that would be her husband.

On August 27, 1966, Linda was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kenneth Sanford. Their family

would grow to include their two daughters, Lisa and Laurie. They would settle in first in Racine, where

Linda taught Sunday School, and then in suburban Chicago. There, Linda was highly involved in the Girl

Scouts as the girls were growing up. She was a Troop Leader and she was Chairman, once giving a

speech to a thousand plus people, she was so nervous. She also spent years working with the Welcome

Wagon. As the kids got older, she chose to go back to work and Linda started her career in the banking

industry. She began working for Sears Mortgage and then continued to work in lending through various

banking acquisitions. As they became empty nesters, Ken’s job changes took them from Chicago to

Tennessee to Ohio to Grand Rapids, eventually, they settled in Grand Rapids.

Linda’s greatest passion was her family. As her daughter’s married and grandchildren arrived, Linda

found herself the happiest. She loved being able to provide daily care for her grandchildren, Maya and

Ben, while their parents worked. The close bond she developed with them was treasured by Linda.

In addition to being a supportive wife, devoted mother and doting “Chickie” to her grandchildren, Linda

was a wonderful friend. She was an attentive listener and trusted confidante. Linda’s love and kindness

will be missed by all who knew her.

Linda is survived by her daughters: Lisa (Mike) Muller and Laurie (Les) Jared; her grandchildren: Emma,

Abby and Taylor Muller and Maya and Ben Jared; her brother Jim (Mary) Fleischhauer and her sister-in-law Judy Sanford as well as many other relatives.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Ken, on March 20, 2018, her sister Sharon

Fleischhauer and her parents Burton and Maryan (White) Fleischhauer.

A Celebration of Life for Linda is being planned, and details will be announced soon.