Linda L. Zemel

Linda Lane Zemel was born in Omaha, Nebraska on January 22, 1946 to G. William Lane and Mary Margaret Callahan Lane. She joined her sister, Mary Denise Lane who was already thirteen months old when Linda was born. Two years later sister Susan (Tude) arrived. In 1952, a fourth sister, Terri, rounded out the family.

At the age of 10 Linda arranged an eight-act circus in the family backyard, along with her friend Alice Henry, that consisted of acrobats, clowns, dancers and a steady parade at the refreshment stand. Linda served as the ring mistress; she also composed an original song that was performed by the entire cast. Linda’s creativity and compassion showed through the staging of the circus as she was able to raise $3.46 for the Children’s Hospital. The circus was covered by the Omaha World-Herald newspaper!

Linda had a staunch Catholic education at St. Margaret Mary’s and then Duchesne Academy in Omaha before the family moved to Denver in 1962. She graduated from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado, attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and graduated from Colorado Women’s College in Denver.

Linda’s pride and joy, son L.J. Klein, was born in October, 1968 in Kansas City. They moved to Denver and then to Los Angeles, CA when LJ was 4 and remained there for 11 years. During their life in California, Linda assured that LJ played all sports and she attended every one of his games. They also rode horses and went hot air ballooning. During their time in Los Angeles, Linda was a Business Manager in the entertainment industry and served as an Actuary.

Linda and LJ moved back to Kansas City when LJ was in high school and in 1989, Linda married Phil Zemel. Linda was a CPA and worked as a Business Manager in the Tech Industry.

Linda is survived by her husband of nearly 30 years, Phil Zemel; son, LJ Klein (Michelle); step-daughters Carrie DeMaria (Thomas) and Katie Zemel; five grandchildren: AJ Klein, Lauren Klein and Chase Klein, Leo DeMaria and Sam DeMaria; sisters Mary Denise Powers, Susan Conti (Dick) and Terri Channer (Christopher) and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Linda was loving, kind, protective, compassionate, and stubborn with a wicked sense of humor. She was intelligent, beautiful, fierce and was the glue that kept all of the family together. Linda battled multiple health issues over the years with courage, dignity and humor.

Linda died on September 20, 2018.