Linda Lee Thiel, born May 06, 1947, in Aurora, Illinois, passed peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2022, in Mission Viejo, California.  She fought hard against Alzheimer's Disease for several years before succumbing to a stroke.  Born to Marian and Edwin Koepke, she has three siblings: JoAnne George (passed), Michael Koepke (passed), and Karen Twichell. Linda moved to California in 1951 with her parents and siblings and lived there the rest of her life except for a few years in Boise, Idaho.

Linda's career brought her back to California when she was offered a position in the St Joseph Health System, where she worked for 20 years before retiring. While working there, she received the prestigious Dignity award.  She is survived by her wife, Teri Moore; sister, Karen Twichell; daughters, Staci Thiel, Karen Thiel, and Jodi Lovato; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Linda's greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed her time in the kitchen, cooking and baking with the children. She ran the Los Angeles Marathon to celebrate her 50th birthday after surviving colon cancer.  She loved the Hawaiian Islands and visited there many times. After retirement, she joined Toastmasters International, where she demonstrated excellent presentation skills.

Linda loved time spent with family and friends and generously hosted many events in her home, bringing everyone together. She was a kind, loving and caring woman who will be missed by many.

Services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at McCormick's Mortuary, followed by a reception.