Linda Susan (Mattix) Ruttschaw

Linda Susan (Mattix) Ruttschaw, 73, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at Brickyard Healthcare’s Elkhart Living Center. Linda was born on December 31, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Orla Peck and Frances (Mattix) Bare.

Linda is survived by her children, Pamela “Pam” (Henry) Emerson, Howard “Chuck” (Lesley) Ruttschaw, and Andrea “Andie” Ruttschaw; grandchildren, Stephen, Nicole, Dale, Kendric, Janelle, Ben, Emily, Olivia, Amelia, and Austin; 15 great-grandchildren and two more on the way; and sister, Debbie.

Linda is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Eugene Ruttschaw; daughter, Michelle Lyerla; parents, Orla and Frances; grandparents and adopted parents, Ray and Beatrice Mattix; and brother, Carl Mattix.

In accordance with Linda’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. A private family celebration of life will take place at a later date for both Dale and Linda. Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is assisting the family with arrangements.

Linda was a lifelong learner who had interests in many topics spanning from sociology to paralegal affairs, the latter eventually being the topic she earned an Associate’s degree in from Ivy Tech. She also enjoyed diving into a good Stephen King book, being immersed in the worlds he came up with in each novel she read. Linda had a passion for caring for and learning about animals. She reminisced to her children about Judy the Bear, who resided in Bristol at a farm named Nibbyville, something her children have fond memories of. She also enjoyed simply having the company of little furry friends hanging around at her home along with caring for houseplants that she grew and tended to daily.

Linda will be dearly missed by those whose hearts she touched throughout her life and the knowledge she spread will live on in the memories of those left behind.

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