Linda Sue Merchant was born on August 4, 1962 in Billings MT. One month later she was adopted by Dallas and Betty Merchant. Linda attended grade school at Horkan Creek School and attended Custer County District High School in Miles City. In school she was on the rodeo team, where she did Barrel Racing and Roping. She loved doing rodeo and continued a little after she left high school.
Linda went to work after school and waitressed tables and eventually moved to Billings, where she was a waitress there as well. She eventually moved back and did bartending in Ashland and stayed back and forth at the ranch. She loved working around animals and loved being surrounded by horses.
In the 1990’s she was diagnosed with MS, and stayed with Dallas and Betty until she started feeling better. She tried to finish her schooling, but had a hard time studying with her illness.
She met Bill Cannon and lived in Broadus. She loved being with Bill and they had a great time together. Linda was an avid pool player. She loved spending time outdoors. She loved collecting rocks down by the river and loved giving her dog Chief a walk and spending time with him. Linda loved flowers and had flower beds at the house, where she loved to be. Linda loved to collect antique pottery, visiting museums, the Black Hills, Traveling Spearfish Canyon and touring Deadwood and Hot Springs with Bill, enjoying the old town atmosphere. Bill and Linda also attended the Bike Rally each year, going to concerts and seeing the sights.
Linda enjoyed cooking and baking, making cookies for the crew at MT Tractor almost daily during the early part of the last summer.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2012. She endured two bouts of lung cancer with devastating chemotherapy and radiation treatments each time. The fall and winter of 2014 was spent going to Gillette every day for infusions to supplement the cancer treatments.
After being on Hospice for several weeks, Linda passed away on April 20, 2015 wth Bill, Chief, and a special friend by her side.
She is survived by her life time partner Bill Cannon, her parents Dallas and Betty Merchant, a brother Jim Merchant, a sister Mary Lou Merchant, and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by her daughter Lindsay and numerous aunts and uncles.
Cremation has taken place and Linda’s remain will be interred in the Valley View Cemetery on May 1, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. A social hour will be held immediately following graveside services at the Big Sky Bar.
Memorials may be sent to Close to Home Hospice, 300 Burma Ave. Gillette, WY 82716 or to the Broadus Volunteer Fire Dept. in Broadus, MT 59317.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is helping the family in these arrangements.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Dick Culver says
To soon gone, my condolences.
Steve & June says
Bill, Our prayers are with you. I love the way you loved her.
You are very special to have Linda in her life. May God comfort you
with his love.
Sally Borla says
SO VERY SORRY BILL AND FAMILY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE–I NEVER KNEW HER PERSONALLY BUT SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD MANY MORE YEARS. MY
PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU–GOD BLESS, SALLY AND SAM BORLA
Connie Capra says
My deepest sympathy to your family. I am glad I had the opportunity to visit with her awhile ago. Gone way to soon
Lance Clark says
Dallas and Betty, Jim, Linda, Mary Lou and Bill:
On behalf of the Clarks, we extend our deepest sympathies.
We first met Linda as neighbors and classmates at Horkan Creek grade school. We shared community via 4-H, high school and many of us knew your family as you lived in the Stacy ranching community, then Miles City, Billings and Broadus.
You will be missed and remembered Linda.
Merchant Family and Bill, our hearts go out to you during this difficult time and great loss.
Sincerely,
Lance Clark, Portland, OR
Brent Clark, Volborg
Scott & Mary Clark, Billings
Darlene Clark, Miles City
Earl Clark, Miles City
Kathi Rooney Pfeifle says
I knew Linda growing up on Beaver Creek. She was always so nice. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Keith & Barb Hoover says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rori Rogge says
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this time. So sorry for your loss.
Maxine McCurdy says
I am so sorry to know that Linda hasdied. I have known her since she was a little girl, living as our neighbor. She was a lovely, caring lady and loved the Lord. I wish all her family the beautiful memories she must have left you.
June & Pete Minow says
Dallas, Betty and Mary Lou, We are so sorry for the loss of your daughter and sister. We remember her younger years in 4-H and rodeos. She was always a friendly outgoing person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mark, Betty and all the Nielsens. says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all your family, So so Sorry, God Bless all of you, from all the Nielsens.
tammy & john schoenbeck says
oh bill i am so sorry for your loss, thoughts & prayers are with you
Gene and Bobi Allard says
Linda was the flower girl at our wedding 45+ years ago. I remember her silky long, blonde hair that day. She was so serious about properly spreading those flower pedals! Cute. Our sincere sympathies to the entire Merchant family.
David Brooks says
Bill, Sorry to here about Linda. If you need anything call
David
Mimi Nickel says
So very sorry about Linda. I have known her for a long time & you are all in my prayers. Bill, you took such good care of her & I know she loved you all very much. Take care & God Bless
Mimi
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Merchant Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of her. May God be with you all thru this hard time.
Sincerely,
Chris and Diana
Doug and Kelli (Rooney) Klein says
Fond memories of Linda Sue and rural school track meets and functions. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
Ginger says
Thinking of you, Dallas, Betty, and Uncle Bill…Peace and love to you.
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Bill & families: So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers to all of you.
Patti (Green) Ireland says
To Dallas, Betty, Jimmy, and Mary Lou. My condolences to you on your loss of Linda Sue. I’m praying that God will give you comfort. May your memories of Linda also give you comfort.
From Patti Ireland, for Clifford and Lyla Green (ranching neighbors to the north)
James L. Arneson says
May God comfort you at this time of loss and may the wonderful memories of her time spent with each of you be your strength.
Jane Thompson says
It’s always hard to lose someone we love….May our lord give you strength and peace.
Our thoughts are with you,
Les and jane
Justin & Charlee Mills Kuhbacher says
I always thought.. When I would see the 2 of you together….and most of the time if you saw one, you saw the other…Now that is Love…God Bless your Journey Linda, and May our Lord wrap his arms around those you left behind that loved you dearly….God Bless your Family at this time and always…
Gary and Jo Anne (Jonutis) Herem says
Peace be with you, Linda. You played such a part in my childhood memories from when we used to have big family picnics and such out in the country at Dallas and Betty’s and in Miles City…cousins and aunts and uncles galore. And, yes, you were the beautiful flower girl at my sister’s wedding. I like to picture you being greeted by your lovely daughter on the other side…
Tracey says
We are so sorry for your loss Uncle Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you & Chief at this tough crossroads in your life. Take Care and call if you need us. Love James & Tracey & Family