Linda Elaine Neigh

Linda Elaine Neigh (nee Van Kooten), formerly Linda E. Thatcher, August 13, 1952 - January 23, 2026.

After a long battle with dementia, Linda passed away peacefully at Rest Haven Homes with her husband Rick and family members by her side. Linda’s final journey is now complete; she has received her heavenly gift of eternal life.

Linda graduated from East Christian High School in 1970 and went on to receive her bachelor’s in arts degree from Calvin College in 1974. She raised a family of three before choosing to pursue a career in education. She obtained her master’s degree in education from Grand Valley State University in 1998. She then served as an elementary teacher in the Grand Rapids Public School system for over 23 years, primarily teaching first grade. Linda always held a deep caring love for the students she nurtured throughout her teaching career.

Always enjoying life, Linda had a cheerful, warm, loving smile for everyone that she met. One of her greatest joys came when she could spend time with her eight grandchildren. After retiring from teaching, her pastimes were filled with endless meetings for breakfast and lunch with her many groups of friends. She also took pride in her gardening with beautiful landscapes of flowers and plants.

Linda always adhered to strong morals and upheld a high standard of Christian core values. She believed in the sanctity of life as God’s creation from conception, and she periodically volunteered her time in support of it.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Charlene VanKooten, and her older sister, Sandra Walters. Surviving are her husband of 16 ½ years, Rick; daughters, Erin (Jeremy) Rotman, and Renee (Jim) Overbeck; son, Ryan (Janet) Thatcher; sister, Debra (Peter) Land; brothers, Steven (Susan) Van Kooten and Dale (Linda) Van Kooten; brother-in-law, Mark Walters; along with her eight grandchildren: Joshua Rotman, Tyler Rotman, Lucas Rotman, Eddie Overbeck, Will Overbeck, Sarah Overbeck, Charlotte Overbeck, and Jonathan Thatcher. A pleasant memory of Linda will always live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family Wednesday, February 4 from 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia with Pastor David Miller officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 10-11 am at the church prior to the service. Luncheon will follow the service. Burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association or Right to Life of Michigan.