Linda Lee Close, a.k.a \u201cDamma\u201d, passed away March 5, 2011, peacefully with her family in hand at age 62. Linda was known as \u201cDamma\u201d because she loved all the kids she ever cared for especially her grandkids, Shaelynn and Cody Blixt. Although Damma only had two grandchildren there were numerous children that respected her as if she was their own grandmother. The list is too long but she will always be a special piece of their hearts.<\/p>\n
Damma\u2019s short bout with cancer was tough but her two wonderful daughters, Anita and Angela, made the last days cherishable. They joked, had dinner, and shared memories and tears. We hope a lot of you read this, laugh and share tears because this is what Damma would want. She was quite the practical joker and a very sharp lady.<\/p>\n
Linda married William Close of Helena\u2026.twice, once in 1967 and again in 1976. They had two beautiful and caring daughters.<\/p>\n
Anita and Angi worked everyday with Linda for the last few years at Captain Jack\u2019s Restaurant. Linda loved this because she loved to eat. In fact her son-in-law, Kelly, fondly called her \u201cthe goat\u201d. She loved food and not just her own because you had to protect your plate. We sometimes thought about throwing in a tin can with any meal we brought her.<\/p>\n
Linda adored her two grandkids Shaelynn and Cody. In fact, she got personalized license plates \u201cDAMMA\u201d on her car because when the kids were young they called her \u201cDamma\u201d instead of grandma\u2026well it stuck because everyone called her Damma after that to include kids and adult friends. That\u2019s the way she was because she loved and cherished every moment.<\/p>\n
Linda grew up in a large family of eleven children in North Dakota. They did not have the things that we take for granted today. The 2 bedroom farm they grew up on still has no running water or a bathroom. But Linda\u2019s brother, Joel, tells us they recently upgraded the outhouse to a \u201ctwo-seater\u201d. All of Linda\u2019s siblings have heart felt stories of their childhood.<\/p>\n
Linda is survived by her two daughters Anita Close, Angela Blixt, and son-in-law Kelly Blixt. She is also survived by her two most prized possessions, Shaelynn and Cody Blixt, her grandchildren, as well as her honorary grandchildren, Jaden and Sean Hamilton, all of whom are from Helena, MT.<\/p>\n
Linda is also survived by her many brothers and sisters. Her brothers are Lyle Hoffer (Lyla), Loren Hoffer (Anita) and Joel Hoffer (Rae) of Minot, ND. Her sisters are Sharon Hoffer of Minot, ND, Elaine Hartzell of East Helena, MT, Sandy Frantzvog (Bob) of Minot, ND, Margaret Rogers (Mike) of Minot, ND, Lynette Stensby (Rick) of Minot, ND and sister-in- law Sandy Hoffer (Jeff) of Mandan, ND.<\/p>\n
Linda was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Bertha Hoffer, sister Karen Bredine, brother Jeff Hoffer, nephew Robert Frantzvog Jr., and brother-in-law Boyd Hartzell.<\/p>\n
Linda had a degree in nursing. She also owned a daycare center and most recently worked day to day with her daughters Anita and Angela at the restaurant. The practical joking was sharp when all three were together.<\/p>\n
Linda enjoyed reading, watching talk shows, Judge Judy, gambling and she was always good for a laugh. Linda was a prominent member of machine number ten at the Montana Nugget Casino.<\/p>\n
The family of Linda requests any memorials be sent to St. Peter\u2019s Hospital Oncology Unit on behalf of cancer awareness, prevention and care of current and future patients in Damma\u2019s name. The staff on the oncology floor and Dr. Weiner were truly professional and more importantly had an obvious care and love for their profession and patients. Other memorials can be sent to the family in care of Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59601<\/p>\n
A Celebration of Life for Linda will occur Friday March 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM, in the Banquet Room on the second floor of the Helena Regional Airport. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Linda Lee, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/1095777.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","family_email":"","family_first_name":"","family_last_name":"","event_title5":"","event_date5":"","start_time5":"","end_time5":"","location5":"","address5":"","city5":"","state5":"","zipcode5":"","event_title6":"","event_date":"","start_time6":"","end_time6":"","location6":"","address6":"","city6":"","state6":"","zipcode6":"","event_title7":"","event_date7":"","start_time7":"","end_time7":"","location7":"","address7":"","city7":"","state7":"","zipcode7":"","event_title8":"","event_date8":"","start_time8":"","end_time8":"","location8":"","address8":"","city8":"","state8":"","zipcode8":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/23294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}