Linda Dahncke passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Lake Forest, California, after a lengthy illness. She was 69.

Linda was born on October 22, 1955, in Downey, California, as Linda Lee Bell, the daughter of Irene S. Bell and Dr. Harold M. Bell Jr. She grew up in Tarzana and graduated from Taft High School in Woodland Hills in 1973. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge, and later, when her interests shifted, completed a paralegal certificate at Saddleback College.

Her father, who served as president of Litton Industries Guidance and Control System Division, passed away in 1971 while Linda was still in high school. That loss left an imprint she carried with her throughout her life. Her mother passed away in 2001 after a lengthy illness.

After college, Linda worked at Litton Industries before joining the Engineering Division with the City of Costa Mesa. It was there she met Doug, who was interning while finishing his civil engineering degree. They married on February 12, 1987, and later welcomed their son, Christopher.

Linda was the creative spark in our family. She loved muscle cars, the music of the '60s and '70s, shooting, football (especially her San Francisco 49ers), and drag racing. She had a lifelong fascination with the Titanic, building a large collection of books and memorabilia around it. She was also a devoted Beatles fan and kept much of the merchandise she had treasured since childhood.

But her heart always belonged to her Mercury Cougar. She bought the car soon after high school as its second owner and never let it go. She cruised Van Nuys Boulevard, street raced, competed at OCIR, and proudly showed it off at local car shows. In the late 1980s or early 1990s, she and a few others even founded the Southern California Cougar Club. Cars were something she passed on to Christopher too. She helped him set up his first muscle car, a 1974 Dodge Charger, which he raced from high school until just a few years ago.

Family always came first. In the late 1990s, she balanced raising Christopher with caring for her mother, visiting her almost every day and making sure she never missed her monthly button club meetings. She also looked out for her mom's elderly neighbor after his wife passed away, picking up groceries and running errands when his children, who lived back east, couldn't be there.

Her generosity carried into the early 2000s, when she provided short-term childcare for Orangewood Children's Home. Through her contacts with a major toy manufacturer, she made sure the children received Christmas donations year after year.

Linda also had a gift for making life fun. She planned some of the best family vacations and birthday parties. We spent holidays in the Bay Area, Big Bear, Monterey Bay, Mission Bay, and Hawaii. Most weekends when Christopher was young meant trips to parks or zoos. She took him to the San Diego Comic-Con, Star Wars Celebrations, and countless toy and gaming conventions. In any crowd, she was easy to spot with her long blonde hair and her bright smile.

The birthday parties she organized for Christopher are legendary in our family—pirate adventures, woodcraft projects like a mini–Home Depot, a wild Fear Factor–themed party, and even a live reptile show.

More than 12 years ago, Linda suffered a stroke that affected her energy, and her health gradually declined. Still, her love, humor, and creativity left a lasting mark on everyone around her.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother Craig, her husband Doug, and her son Christopher.

She always supported the American Heart Association in memory of her father, and the family asks that donations be made in her name.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 10 a.m. at El Toro Memorial Park.