Linda R Henderson

February 13, 2024. Born on May 19th to Helen Mitchell and Clifton Brandt, Linda was a

beloved member of the community known for her warmth, compassion, and unwavering

spirit. Linda graduated Normal Community High School in 1966 and continued her

education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor

of Science in Elementary Education. Throughout her career, she made significant

contributions as an Elementary Education Teacher, Executive Director of McLean

County Compact, Education Manager at the Illinois Farm Bureau, Director of the

Prevention Resource Development Project at Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, and

Academic Director at Mulberry School.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Linda was deeply involved in her

community. She volunteered as a Trainer for ISU Pre-service Teachers, participated in

the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, and was nominated

for the McLean County YWCA 1997 Women of Distinction Award.

Linda’s zest for life extended beyond her career and community work. She loved

spending time with family and friends and had a passion for entertaining. Known for her

fun-loving nature, charisma, and great sense of humor, Linda brightened the lives of all

who knew her.

Linda is survived by her three children: Heath (Rebecca) Henderson of Towanda, Ryan

(Philip III) Bradstock of Phoenix, AZ, and Hutch Henderson of Atlanta, GA; their father:

Hunt Henderson; five grandchildren: (Allison, Brandt, Caelen, Henry, and Phip); two

beloved nieces: Allison (Mike) Butcher of Crested Butte, CO and Kristin Kuhne of

Champaign; a great-niece: Lottie, great-nephew: George; and her dog Amelia.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Helen Brandt and her sisters

Carole Brandt and Rita Kuhne.

A service to celebrate Linda's life will be held at 10 a.m. on February 24th, 2024 at

Normal First United Methodist Church.

Linda firmly believed that life was a little sweeter with family and friends (and chocolate)

around. She truly believed that the more love and laughter you have in your life, the

better. She was all about making memories with her loved ones. To her, there was

nothing quite like the joy of spending time with the people who mattered most.

Her oldest sister described her best:

“The Taurus in Linda embraces stability, comfort, and pleasure. She is a nester,

collector, and shopper. She takes great pleasure in building her nest into a creative and

intensely personal space. The collector in her means mounds of things in attics,

closets, drawers, cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, garages, and storage. In her DNA is

writ “I will need this someday!” And the shopper in her is requisite to both the nesting

and collecting. She has loved to go shopping since she was a little girl. The

Minneapolis Mall of America is her Mecca; IKEA and Third Sunday Market, places of

ecstasy and comfort. Not always necessary to buy. Never make a list. Wander, look,

touch, imagine “what if?” Not unusual for her to go for drapes and return with dog food.“