Linda Marie Ruhnke

Linda Marie (Heitman) Ruhnke was born on September 12, 1951, in Clay Center, Kansas, to Elmer and Lorna Heitman. She was baptized and confirmed at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Palmer, Kansas. A gifted student, Linda graduated as Valedictorian from Linn High School before beginning her college studies at Kansas State University. With a deep calling to serve others through healthcare, she transferred to Wichita State University, where she earned her degree in Nursing.

After graduation, Linda moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where she met the love of her life, Reverend Frederick Ruhnke. The two were married on August 17, 1974, and soon after, they packed up their Chevrolet Nova and drove west to Portland, Oregon, where Fred had accepted a teaching position at Concordia High School.

Linda dedicated her life to caring for others—both in her professional career and in her role as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her nursing career was as multifaceted as it was meaningful. She worked as a Childbirth Educator, a Pediatric Nurse, a School Nurse at Concordia University, and later, as a Nurse for the Hillsboro School District.

Fred and Linda were blessed with two sons: John Frederick, born in February 1976, and Marcus Peter, born in July 1979. Linda embraced motherhood with joy and passion, and nothing brought her greater happiness than raising her boys and, later, spending time with her beloved grandchildren.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Elmer, and her husband, Fred. She is survived by her mother, Lorna Heitman; her sister, Dinah (Rich) Rodehorst; her brothers, Mike (Sharon) Heitman and Don (Tammi) Heitman; her sons, John (Lindsay) Ruhnke and Marcus (Danielle) Ruhnke; and the greatest joys of her life—her seven grandchildren: Robert, Amy, Lucy, Tatum, Margaret, Emerson, and Ruby.

Linda will be remembered for her compassion, her gentle strength, and the love she poured into her family and her work. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the memories that will forever bring smiles to those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service celebrating Linda's life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 5650 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97008. All who knew and loved Linda are warmly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a true difference in the lives of others by donating to one of these charities:

-The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

-The Alzheimer's Association

Or

-An educational charity of your choice.