TARTE

Linda Tarte of Lowell, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, after a long struggle with a rare neurological illness.

Linda was born in Battle Creek in April 1948, attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, and for years ran a successful housecleaning service while living happily in a rustic two-room cabin in Morley, chopping her own firewood and getting water from an outdoor hand pump. She married her husband, Bob, of Grand Rapids, on September 29, 1990. The two of them met through a singles’ magazine in 1986. Well-loved for her kindness, generosity, outgoing nature, and sunny personality, Linda was the pianist at Sand Lake United Methodist Church in the 1980s. After moving to Lowell with Bob, she became the pianist and later the treasurer for the Ionia Free Methodist Church. Her many pastimes included birding, gardening, cooking, sewing, pen pal letters, and Bible study.

Linda was an advocate for animals. For over a decade, she and Bob helped raise and release orphaned songbirds for the Wildlife Rehab Center of Grand Rapids. The couple had numerous pets, including ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and cats, and nearly all of them were rescues. The full story of her role acquiring and caring for this menagerie can be found in four books written by her husband.Surviving Linda are husband, Bob; sister, Cynthia; sons by her first marriage, Erin and Ben; grandchildren, James and Jacob; and African grey parrot, Dusty, who recently turned 38. Her parents were Perry Phillips and Pluma Jewell Winton, who moved to Battle Creek from the Algood, Tennessee area after World War II. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Bette Worley and husband, Dave of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and brother-in-law, Jack Smith of Grand Rapids.

A private burial service was held in May. Instead of flowers, donations in Linda’s name may be made to Cure PSP, 325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013 or at www.psp.org. Huge thanks to the hard-working and loving staff at Green Acres of Lowell for the excellent care given to Linda during the final 16 months of her life.