Linda Ruth Ryden Koehler

It is with heavy hearts we share that Linda Ruth Ryden Koehler, 75, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas surrounded by family. She was born on April 6, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona to Nina Mae Seale and Edward Oliver Ryden. In Linda’s early years of childhood she lived in Superior, Arizona and moved to Miami, Arizona in her freshman year of high school where she graduated in 1966. She then went off to The University of Arizona and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology. She met her husband, Harold “Rusty” Koehler in classes they attended together in 1969. As Rusty was leaving to begin his Army career it was initially decided to not get married until Rusty had completed his Army training and a tour in Vietnam, but their love for each other quickly changed their minds and they were married on November 1, 1969. Linda and Rusty were together for the next year and Linda completed her college education while Rusty was in Vietnam.

Linda was a supportive military wife and lived in Georgia, Texas, and Germany. She balanced a career in medical technology, clinical research, motherhood, church involvement, friendships and family ties as well as receiving a Master’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies at UTEP in 1982. She always had a plethora of hobbies and things she enjoyed and was even a licensed airplane pilot! She absolutely loved to travel and spending time outdoors hiking, swimming, boating and horseback riding brought a lifetime of joy. She also loved reading, needlework and sewing, newspaper puzzles, painting, music, and gardening. Linda was always easily content and happy!

Linda was a very active mother who supported her daughters in a large variety of interests their entire lives as their number one steadfast supporter. This continued with all four grandchildren in everything they did as well. She truly loved watching music and dance performances, sports games, school plays and anything those children got into.

As a devout Christian Linda was extremely missionary oriented and this was a very large part of her life. She enjoyed serving with her church actively from its groundbreaking, worked with the Saddle Light equestrian therapeutic horseback riding program for 16 years, supported African Children Today in Uganda since 2001 (also partnering with The Rafiki Foundation), worked with Medical Missions to Mexico, volunteered as an usher at The Tobin Center, helped with a backpack ministry for immigrants, volunteered at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, served on her church’s Mission Outreach leadership team, participated in making Prayer Shawls, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was active in the Sol Center, worked with Tools for Development, served with SAMM Ministries, volunteered at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, was working as a Reading Buddy in a neighborhood elementary school and worked multiple craft fairs selling goods for the African organizations to name just a few.

She was always a wonderful and caring listener, a loyal individual, carried a positive outlook and was incredibly strong in any life trials, especially in the end. She was a loved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend that will be sorely missed by all but celebrated and healed in her eternal life by our Lord and Savior’s side.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Harold “Rusty” Koehler; daughter, Amy Cupitt and her husband, Sean of Houston; daughter, Lisa Woolley and her husband, Thomas of San Antonio; grandchildren, Stephen and Joshua Cupitt, Barrett and Mallory Woolley; and sister, Kathy Ryden Lifton of Wilmette, Illinois.

A special thank you to the extraordinary care of Dr. Eric Stupka and Dr. Kyle Maier at the end of her life here on earth. An additional thank you to the dear friends and community surrounding the family with the utmost love and support during this difficult time.

MEMORIAL SERVICESUNDAY, APRIL 30, 20233:00 PMHOLY TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH16245 NACOGDOCHES ROADSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78247

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her long-time beloved friend’s organization at African Children Today. https://africanchildrentoday.org/donate .

You may click here to watch the livestreaming of Linda's service.