Linda Elaine Peppard

Linda Elaine Peppard, 80, entered peacefully into the kingdom of heaven on July 28, following a bedside vigil with her children. 

Linda was born on June 2, 1944, to Vivian Elaine Sandbloom (Lindstrom) and Roy Hulger Sandbloom of Lockport, Illinois. Her parents were not blessed with other children, so their naturally outgoing daughter learned to make friends quickly and plentifully. Her childhood home being situated on a main thoroughfare, she could walk around town at a young age, whether for a treat or to church. She had fond memories of time spent with her aunts and uncles around the Joliet area, and she played often after school with her cousins, one of whom (Bobby) she persuaded to do all her math homework for her. 

The influence of her childhood church cannot be overstated – full of activities, learning, and music. It was populated mostly by descendants of Swedish immigrants, and Linda was proud to be 100% Swedish in heritage. She showed musical gifts at a young age during church and later passed on her love of piano and harmonization to her children and grandchildren. She was especially proud of her independent trips as a teenager for pipe organ lessons at a studio on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, which was a significant journey from Lockport on public transit. She played piano all her life, and in her final years, with a memory blurred by dementia, she still remembered the words of hymns during Sunday services. On some days, those were the only words she remembered. 

Linda was a graduate of Lockport Township High School, Joliet Junior College, and Northern Illinois University, where she studied to be an elementary education teacher and, in her own recounting, also had a very good time. She told many tales of 1960s sorority life with Delta Zeta, road trips with friends, and fending off would-be suitors. Her description of driving a red convertible down much of Route 66, which ran through Joliet, was never independently verified. But it was the sort of thing she would have done without a blink, and most likely the reality was even better than the tale.

Shortly after college, Linda began work as an elementary school teacher. One Saturday night, she decided not to fend off a certain bartender at the Holiday Inn (which she would remind you was a very happening place at that time), and in 1970 was married to Gerard “Gerry” Peppard. She relished playing the fun, adventurous role in their courtship and marriage, pushing him to travel more places and pursue more options than his more reserved personality would have done otherwise. 

After having two children, Michelle “Shelly” and Mike, they moved the family to Colorado in 1981, seeking professional advancement and lower humidity. More moves quickly followed – back to Illinois, then to Arizona, and then back to Colorado. As a homemaker, Linda was very attuned to her kids’ social lives and needs, a feature of her personality that proved even more crucial during these frequent moves. Though cooking was not her strong suit – once while making pancakes, blueberries ended up on the ceiling – she did love to eat and would usually finish the leftovers off everyone else’s plates. She could also pack a great cooler for a Colorado getaway to Grand Lake or wherever the aspens were turning gold that weekend. She loved going out to eat even more, especially when taking her kids to new restaurants around Denver or to old favorites in Siesta Key, Florida, during family vacations. 

Linda was a charter member of Centennial Covenant Church in Littleton and played many roles over 40 years there. She was perhaps the best greeter of new visitors that ever graced the church’s door. She made everyone feel welcome and was infectiously optimistic. At home, she could often be found reading her Bible, even in the middle of the night. Until very recently, she maintained her daily devotions of reading and prayer. 

Linda was preceded in death by her husband Gerry and treasured son-in-law Paul. She is survived by her children Michelle “Shelly” Russell and Michael Peppard (Rebecca) and grandchildren Jake, Clem, and Montana. The last words that Linda heard on this earth were testaments from her children of her good and full life, and that she could now rest and be with her loved ones, especially her husband of nearly 50 years. 

A memorial service will be held on August 8 at 2:00 PM at Centennial Covenant Church, 401 W. Mineral Ave, Littleton, CO, 80120, with a Swedish-themed reception to follow. Graveside service and interment will be August 31 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Raynor Ave., Joliet, IL, 60435, with reception to follow at Merichka’s in Crest Hill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the global relief ministries of the Covenant Church. Condolences may be sent to Shelly Russell at 5877 E. Hinsdale Place, Centennial, CO, 80112.