Linda Diane Marx

“Hi everyone, hope you have a wonderful day … I love you so much!” was the last text message she sent. Not surprising from such a gentle spirit who cared for her family and friends so deeply and authentically. Just a few hours later she suffered mortal wounds from a tragic fall in her garage.

Linda Diane Marx was the youngest child of two born to Frederick and Esther Holland on August 26, 1947. Growing up in and around Allentown, PA, Linda stayed busy with her studies, tagging along with her older brother Harold, and swimming with friends at Whitehall pool.

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is just 20 minutes west of where she grew up. There she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and, at a mutual friend’s party, met the love of her life, Dean Marx, attending Muhlenberg College just down the road.

It wasn’t long after Linda graduated college that Dean’s work with 3M brought them to St. Louis, Los Angeles, Woodbury, Brussels, Belgium, then back to Woodbury, MN. Along the way they had two children, Brian and Michelle. Up until the kids arrived, Linda was a respected educator, teaching at elementary schools in three different states.

Linda loved tennis — the competition, the community, the comradery — and even won a few St. Paul Indoor mixed doubles and singles club tournaments. A talented piano and Mahjong player, and committed Bible studier, she also learned to love cheering on whatever sport her kids were playing that season.

To be a Marx is to have an eccentric sense of humor and Linda could roll with the goofiest of it, always with a smile and a few quips of her own. She was a doting mother and grandmother of four who loved unconditionally — the family’s anchor through Dean’s tragic motorcycle accident and beyond — bringing her loved ones together for summer BBQ’s, holiday traditions, and birthday celebrations.

Linda is survived by Dean, children Brian (Libby), Michelle (Brent), grandchildren Emerson, Dylan, Luna, Ben and other loving family, Frank Marx, Michelle Marx Gardiner and Bill DeSiena, Kelly Gardiner and Ryan Gardiner.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 9 from 4-6pm at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Open Cupboard food shelf (https://opencupboard.org/)