Linda Ottilie Graef Loep was born on the family farm in Niederwald, Texas on May 30, 1921 to Otto Graef, Jr. and Elsa Kirchhof. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed Loep, Jr., brothers Helmuth, Leonard, Alton, and Ralph, and sister Frances Bierstedt, brothers-in-law Bruno Buehring, Hilmer Bierstedt, and Robert Schneider, sister in-law Iva Graef, and son-in-law H.J. Schnautz. She is survived by sisters Evelyn Buehring, Marie Schneider, and Dorothy Schneider, sister-in-law Margie Graef and brother-in-law Ernie Schneider. She is also survived by her children Judy Kay Schnautz, James Loep and wife Marian, and Barbara Ilse and husband William, grandchildren Jon Eric Schnautz and wife Liz, Brandy Schnautz Mann and husband Bryan, and Jamie Loep Donaldson and husband Jason, great-grandchildren Mason Loep, Gus Mann, and Emma Schnautz. Linda enjoyed seeing her three great-grandchildren and taught Mason to play dominoes.
Linda attended New Hope school in Niederwald. She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Church in Niederwald. On May 30, 1948 she married Edmund “Hans” Loep. They lived on the Loep family farm in Uhland, Texas, where they farmed and operated a dairy. Linda also worked in the Niederwald Co-op store and the Uhland Mercantile store.
After her husband’s death in 1987, Linda continued to live on the farm where she had a large garden each year and was known for her dill pickles. Linda enjoyed her Saturday nights at Club 21, where she would help Cliff at the door and then at midnight, she would go up front and talk to Martha until the dance was over. Other interests included bowling, word search puzzles and visiting with family and friends.
Linda passed away on April 22, 2011 surrounded by her children and grandchildren at Seton Hospital in Austin. Pallbearers are Jon Eric Schnautz, Bruce Schneider, Dwight Schneider, Tommy Bierstedt, Cliff Johnson and Jason Donaldson.
Visitation was held April 25, 2011 in the McCurdy Memorial Chapel. Services were April 26, 2011 in the McCurdy Memorial Chapel. Internment followed at Lockhart City Cemetery.
Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. Obituary and guest book online at www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com
