Linda E. Wilcox, 73

Linda E. Wilcox Esterbrook Wood, 73, a resident of Kellogg, ID, formerly of Gooding, passed from this life into the next on Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Kellogg. She struggled with Alzheimer’s for several years, but ultimately passed away from complications of diabetes.

Linda was born on June 13, 1940, in Burley, ID, the daughter of A.D. “Dean” and Wilda Olive Miskimins Wilcox. She attended first grade at Declo Elementary School and continued her education in the Minidoka School District. She graduated from Minico High School in 1958.

On February 14, 1959, Linda married Garth Bowen in Burley. They had three children: Lanny Dean (stillborn), Mark Wayne, and Julie Arlynn. They lived in multiple places in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho. They were divorced in 1966.

Linda then married Weldon Esterbrook in Burley on December 29, 1967. She took Mark and Julie, and joined Weldon on his farm north of Gooding. They lived there until 1989 when they sold the farm and moved to acreage on Elmwood Road in Gooding. Linda and Weldon resided there until 2000, when they moved to Nevada Street in Gooding. Weldon passed away in 2001.

Linda married Marion “Gale” Wood on September 14, 2003, in Gooding. They lived in the home on Nevada Street through 2011. Due to health reasons, Gale went to Bennett Hills Nursing Home and Linda moved to northern Idaho to live with her son, Mark. As her health deteriorated, Linda moved to a nursing facility for the last 11 months of her life.

Linda was employed by the Gooding County Leader newspaper for 29 years. She started out as a typesetter, but did everything else from advertising to reception over the years. She loved her work and the people of Gooding County. Mom had a photographic memory, and was very good at her job.

Linda was a member of the Northside Community Club for many years. She joined the Red Hat Society several years ago, and had many good times with her friends. Linda and Gale attended the Southern Baptist Church in Gooding for some time, and later attended Living Waters Presbyterian Church in Wendell.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Wilda Wilcox; and her second husband, Weldon Esterbrook. Linda is survived by her husband, Gale, of Gooding; son, Mark Bowen, of Pinehurst, ID; daughter, Julie (Dave) Vanden Bosch, of Jerome, ID; six grandchildren: Emily (Eric) Andrews, Meridian, ID; Hilary (Benjamin) Murithi, Nairobi, Kenya, Africa; Markelle Bowen, Denver, Colo.; Wendy Vanden Bosch, Missoula, Mont.; Braylon Bowen, Missoula, Mont.; and Brielle Bowen, Pinehurst, ID; brother, Harry Wilcox, Richfield, ID; and numerous cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 14, at Demaray Funeral Service, Gooding Chapel. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.