Linda L. Cozad

Linda loved her family, her friends, and her church family. Aside from raising her family and many other children who were fortunate enough to be in her care, she had two main careers. She spent several years as a beautician, working from the beauty shop she had built in her home while her daughters were young. Later, she went to work for Lincoln Public Schools as a Paraprofessional where she was consistently told she should go to school to be a teacher. And so, she did! She retired after many years of teaching at Huntington Elementary, Everett Elementary, and West Lincoln Elementary. She loved them all, and her greatest hope was that her students would grow up to “have a good heart.”

In her spare time, Linda loved to read and take walks. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. Linda was also an excellent cook, earning her great popularity at every potluck. She loved her church and spent many hours singing, playing the organ and teaching Sunday school. But what set her apart most was her joyful obsession with the color yellow—it brightened her wardrobe, her home, and the hearts of those around her.

Linda was preceded in death by her beloved parents Claude Kage, Sr. and Edna Arabelle (Ferguson) Kage, her sisters Viola Brennan and Claudette Brennan, her brothers Claude Kage, Jr., Dan Kage and Jim Kage. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws who were very dear in her life, Harold and Leona Cozad, and brothers-in-law, Jerry, Keith and Russell Cozad.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Cozad, loving daughters and sons-in-law, Lynn and Gary Fuller, Amber and Eric Reining, cherished grandchildren, Josh Fuller, Jeremiah and Stephanie Fuller, Marin and Chase Hill, Oliver Reining, Scarlet Reining, and most recently, her great-grandson, Elias Dean Fuller, her brother, Larry and Maria Kage of Colorado and Kathy Petry of Iowa and many nieces, nephews, former students, church friends, and loved ones.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Thursday, May 8th, 2:00pm at Gentle Shepherd Baptist Church, 1601 W. Burnham. Graveside Service immediately following at Lincoln Memorial Park. The family invites you to join them for a reception at Lincoln Memorial following the graveside service. Visitation Wednesday 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 so. 14th St. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to Gentle Shepherd Baptist Church to be distributed to various world missions projects.

Linda’s kindness and warmth —so often symbolized by her favorite color—will continue to shine in all who knew and loved her. Please wear yellow in her honor at her celebration of life. We are very thankful for the consistent care and support of Traditions Health Care and Cassidy Thavenet.