Linda Darlene Umscheid

Linda Darlene Umscheid, age 76, of De Soto, Kansas, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Louisburg Chapel, 1 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg, Kansas 66053. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Louisburg Cemetery.

Linda was born on September 19, 1947, in Waco, Texas. She was the daughter of (Wilford) Herman and Delores (Huse) McFarland.

Linda’s early years were spent splitting time between her grandparents (Huse’s) farm in Cranfills Gap, TX and parents’ homes in Waco, TX. Her later school years were spent in HEB (Hurst/Euless/Bedford).

Following graduation from Lawrence D Bell HS in 1966, she worked as a candy packager (she got free candy on Fridays!) and wanted to be an American Airlines stewardess. Before she could reach that dream, she eloped with Thomas (Puss) Cutshaw. Later she landed with King Radio in Paola, KS where she spent 37 years with King Radio/Bendix-King/Honeywell as a Material Handler until she retired in 2010. Post marriage she spent 37 years at King Radio (eventually Bendix-King and Honeywell) as an avionics manufacturer material handler until her retirement in 2010.

Linda and Thomas (Puss) Lavoun Cutshaw were married on October 21, 1967 in Durant, Oklahoma. Following her first husband’s death on December 13, 2002, she married Tim Umscheid in Desoto Kansas on June 1, 2008, to whom she remained happily married until her death.

Linda had a diverse array of interests. Among those was an eye toward the stars. She enjoyed sunset/sunrises, locating constellations nightly being especially keen on Orion and the Seven Sisters. Linda was an avid follower of NASA and the space program including nightly tracking of the ISS space station’s wanderings.

On earth, she loved nothing more than taking care of her plants and flowers such as vegetables, Elephant Ears, Petunias, Lantana and anything else that would bring out some of her favorite critters. She loved watching for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees to name a few. When a friendly bird paid her a visit, she would quickly identify it and be ready to tell you everything about it. She could always tell you what birds had visited recently, including a sun conure from a neighbor’s house.

While Linda was not afraid to be alone, she thoroughly enjoyed her time with friends and family, which included a yearly Fourth of July celebration in Desoto. She especially enjoyed spending time/playing with her grandkids because she truly was a kid at heart.

She enjoyed dancing; music and being serenaded by her husband Tim while he played some “oldies but goodies”.

During her downtime, Linda enjoyed making jewelry and quilts for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed photography with a comical focus on pictures of flowers.

For a little excitement Linda enjoyed being a modern-day explorer with some of her favorite pass-times being hiking, camping, proudly riding her motorcycle and traveling. Her adventures took her to every state in the union, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Cozumel, Roatan, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Cayman and Cayman Brac.

Linda was an exceptional strong-minded woman going through many ups and downs in life, loss and marriage. She always had a ready smile and playfully ornery disposition. She was not meek and often stood up for herself yet had an approachable vulnerability about her. Linda was always there to listen and never put too much pressure or guilt on anyone. When explaining something exciting or difficult she would often say “Well yeah!” as a way to show support and agreement.

She is preceded in death by her father, Wilford McFarland, step-father, Raymond Shelton, first husband, Thomas (Puss) Cutshaw, son, Thomas Kevin Cutshaw, and daughter, Debbie Lytle.

Linda is survived by her husband, Tim Umscheid, sons, Thomas Dale Cutshaw and Jerry (Kari) Cutshaw, daughter, Stephanie (Jimmy) Stephenson, grandchildren Fiona, Zachary and Lillie Cutshaw, Trysten Keeney-Cutshaw, LaDonna Pulsipher, Annie Newman and Brooke (Trevor) Schmidt, sister, Debbie Morgan, three brothers, Michael and Ronnie Shelton, and Larry McFarland, mother, Delores Shelton, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Flowers are welcome but if you prefer memorial contributions can be made payable to Great Plains SPCA or Operation Wildlife, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.