Linda Lou Riley

Linda Lou Riley, 86, of Gardner, KS, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Linda was born on January 31, 1938, in rural Clifton Hill, MO. The daughter of Vern and Kathryn Brogan Harris-Angelo. She married Harry Riley on February 9, 1957, in Moberly, MO. He preceded her in death on December 10, 2001.

She graduated from Moberly High School in 1956. Linda was offered an Internship with Hallmark of Kansas City but turned it down to stay local, help family and marry her loving husband of 44 years, Harry in 1957. Together Linda and Harry owned and operated Riley Sundries & Riley Trucking Company in Madison, MO, farmed and raised Charolais cattle together. Linda was a member of the Madison Christian Church in Madison, MO, but after moving to Kansas, attended the Gardner First Baptist Church. During her lifetime, she was a 4-H leader in Monroe County, MO, a Mary Kay consultant, worked at the Dollar General store in Moberly, and was a member of the Red Hat Ladies of Madison. Linda volunteered at Ellis Fischel Hospital, Hospice in Moberly, Christmas for Kids, and Joy Closet in Gardner, KS.

After losing her husband Harry in 2001, she became a very active traveler with Senior Circle Travel Group through Moberly City Bank. When the travel coordinator, Rita, of the group had a trip available, Linda’s bags were packed and ready. She traveled by bus, plane and especially enjoyed to cruise with this group. Linda made it to 49 of 50 states, traveled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Only her declining health made her stop.

Linda lived her last four years at Vintage Park in Gardner, KS. She was an Ambassador for the Vintage Park Community welcoming all new residents, recognizing all birthdays, and delivering mail to residents. Linda enjoyed all the activities, the bus day trips Vintage Park offered, and the monthly lunch trips out. If nothing was going on you could find her at her jigsaw puzzle table completing 100’s of puzzles, many which are on display throughout the facility. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals and became a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs after moving to Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vern & Kathryn Brogan Harris-Angelo; husband, Harry Riley; brothers, William Harris & Donald Harris.

She is survived by one daughter, Tana Lou (Jerry) Johnson of Gardner, KS; two beloved grandchildren, Jeremiah Johnson & Gabriel (Staci) Johnson of Gardner, KS; six great-grandchildren: Brayden & Teahen Johnson of Ankeny, IA, Eliana & Brantley Johnson of Gardner, KS, Marisa Ward of Wellsville, KS, & Alexis Marshall of Kansas City, MO; brothers, Robert Harris of Woodburn, OR, Bob (Maxine) Riley of Holliday, MO; sister, Susie Jackson of Carrollton Texas; sisters-in-law, Darlene Riley-McNutt of Madison, MO, Carol Harris of Moberly, MO, and Margaret Harris of Buttonwillow, CA; several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends in the Moberly, Madison, and Kansas City area all of whom will miss her dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024, at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel with Reverend Larry Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held before the service from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sunset Hill Cemetery, Madison Christian Church, or Gardner Special Olympics.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.