Linda Sue Gawrych, 81, of St. Paul, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Revs. Vince Parsons and Sidney Bruggeman will concelebrate the Mass, assisted by Deacons Neil Baquet and Phil Lukasiewicz. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the church, with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Memorials are suggested to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, its Council of Catholic Women, or the Catholic Daughters of America Sacred Heart Court of St. Paul.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Linda was born October 28, 1944, in Altus, Oklahoma, the daughter of Walter and Betty (Osborne) Crossman. Because of her father’s work with the Bureau of Reclamation, she spent her childhood in various states and communities before her family eventually made their home in Ashton, Nebraska, where her father was involved in the Sherman Dam project.

It was in Ashton that Linda met her high school sweetheart, LaVern Gawrych. She graduated from Ashton High School with the Class of 1962. Shortly after graduation, Linda and LaVern were married in Ashton on August 11, 1962.

The couple first made their home in St. Paul. During that time, Linda worked as a waitress at the American Legion Club, Paul’s Supper Club, and the Skyline Cafe. In 1976, the couple moved to St. Libory after purchasing Lone Tree Service, which they operated together until 1984. They later returned to St. Paul, where Linda worked as an in-home service coordinator for the St. Paul Senior Center and later as the activities director at Matelyn Retirement Home until her retirement. LaVern passed away on February 13, 2006.

After marrying LaVern, Linda joined the Catholic faith. Her faith was a central part of her life, and she was deeply devoted to her church. She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, the Council of Catholic Women, and the Catholic Daughters of America Sacred Heart Court of St. Paul.

Linda was always willing to serve and assist others, whether through her time as a religious education teacher, helping with countless funeral dinners, or as a former Girl Scouts troop leader. She was steadfast in praying the rosary daily and was always praying for others. In recent years, she made it her mission to bring people back to active participation in the Church, and she was very successful in doing so.

Linda had many hobbies and was always on the go. She enjoyed her card clubs, reading, working on word and jigsaw puzzles, baking, and traveling to and attending the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Above all else, Linda loved spending time with her family.

Linda is survived by her children and spouses, Brenda Gawrych of Omaha, Becky Harvey of Papillion, Kathy and Gary Ewers of Columbus, Pam Schutz of Lincoln, and Rick and Julie Gawrych of St. Paul; grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Bohaty, Theresa Harvey, Kara (Joe) Morgan, Amber (Trevor) Watson, Austin Ewers (Maddie Williams), Nicole Mahoney (Brian Hanson), Jacob Starkey (Marytza Abebe), Kaitlyn Starkey (Chris Elson), Sidney Gawrych, Abe Gawrych, Noah Gawrych, and Ike Gawrych; 14 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; brother-in-law, Jim (Jackie) Gawrych; sisters-in-law, Louise (Karl) Kulwicki, Betty McElligott, Lorraine Ferguson, and Edith (Bill) Payne. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVern; her parents; parents-in-law, Walter and Bertha Gawrych; brothers-in-law, Bill Ferguson, Jerome Gawrych, and Jim McElligott; son-in-law, Bill Schutz; infant grandson, Christopher Gawrych; and infant great-grandson, Anthony Bohaty.