Linda Ann Vida Wegkamp

Logan, Utah: Linda Ann Vida Wegkamp passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 2, 2010 while attending to the flowers she loved so much. She was born Thursday, January 30, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan to Alma Kish Vida and Samuel Vida. She was 63.
Linda attended Wayne State University and Utah State University, earning a degree in education and teaching certification. She taught in schools for 35 years, primarily at North Park Elementary and Greenville Elementary. She taught on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, Arizona for the first two years of her career.
On July 12, 1991, in the Logan LDS Temple, Linda married Paul Lawrence Wegkamp, her companion, sweetheart and soul-mate, who loved her dearly.
While teaching, she assisted her students and their parents in unique ways. Whether helping students create year long scrapbooks, hatching baby chicks, conducting book fairs during parent-teacher conferences, staying after school for one-on-one tutoring or pursuing Montessori methods of education, she conscientiously did all she could to help her students achieve high goals and performance. The banner in her classroom read, "If it is to be, it is up to me;" a standard by which she governed not only her students, but herself as well.
Even after retiring from teaching, her passion for education and service never dwindled. Each year, she purchased age-specific books for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hoping to inspire a lifelong interest in reading. She was also a great supporter of teachers and organized a yearly luncheon and photo session for her retired teacher friends. She volunteered often for service opportunities, including spending days at a time baking handed-down Hungarian cookie recipes to bring joy to many, and most recently by serving a yearly church mission with her husband, Larry, at the LDS Institute for Special Needs Students, where they were inspired by the spirituality and effort of the students, peer helpers and teachers.
Linda was actively involved in her family's genealogical research and doing LDS temple work.
Linda and Larry have lived a dream that is made up of real everyday moments, friendship, partnership, and affection that makes hearts happier. We were constantly awed by her kindness and care of animals. On one occasion she rescued a beautiful feral cat, who had taken up residence under the school at which she taught. She fittingly, and with the assistance of her students, named him "Hobo". Upon her retirement, Hobo lived out the rest of his life in her home with other cat companions. Hobo's story was published on the front page of the Herald Journal.

Linda loved a quote by LDS President Monson: "Treat troubles with courage, difficulties with cheerfulness, and triumphs with humility."
Linda is survived by her husband, Larry; a brother, Allan (Rita) Brandtner; two nephews, Allan Brandtner, Brian (Meg) Brandtner with daughters Alexis and Madison, and niece Dolores (Bob) Nickerson; three step-sons, Paul (Debbie) Wegkamp, Karl (Karen) Wegkamp, Dale (Lisa) Wegkamp; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1st Ward Chapel, 200 W 100 S, Logan, Utah, Bishop Kyle Dana conducting. A viewing for friends will be held Sunday, June 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321 and on June 7 from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at the chapel. Internment will follow the service and take place at the Logan City Cemetery, 951 N 1200 E. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net