Linda M. Stoops

Linda Marie Stoops, age 69, of Sioux Falls, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. Her Funeral Service will be held at 10 AM, Friday, December 12, 2025 at the George Boom Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery.

Linda Marie Stoops came into this world on April 8, 1956 and left this world on December 6, 2025. When Linda was born there were many complications that kept her in and out of the hospital for the first years of her life. Once these issues were taken care of, she was off and running, literally!

Linda’s childhood was filled with neighborhood games, softball and church related activities. While attending Cleveland Elementary, she set a longtime record for the 50-yard dash. In junior high and high school, she continued the running and added the high jump to her arsenal.

In addition to athletics, Linda also excelled in academics. She graduated from Lincoln High School, Augustana College and later earned a Master’s degree. She taught at Central Lyon in Iowa and then in the Sioux Falls District. Linda was an integral part of East Side Pawn and Sunset Strip Pawn, using her computer skills to organize recordkeeping before commercial programs were available. Linda, keeping up with her high standards, was also a very talented artist and a devout fan of music.

In 2015, Linda organized the Sioux Falls Hilltop Neighborhood Reunion. More than 500 former residents of the area attended and reconnected during the event. Many parents and children of the 60’s and 70’s enjoyed sharing memories.

Linda was known to share a supply of gloves, socks, ect. with those in need. Most recently, she enjoyed surprising her great nephews and niece with fun toys, art supplies and clothing items she couldn’t resist. Family and friends were a priority for Linda and she made it a point to call and check in with those valued individuals. Family history was important to her and she enjoyed family reunions and learning more about the lives of her grandparents and great grandparents. She was especially proud of and close to her grandmother, Myrtle Stoops.

Grateful for having been a part of her life are her brother, Rick and Marla Stoops, and nephew, Matt and Kyla Stoops and their three children, Lane, Cole and Lucy. Linda will be missed.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Galen and Doris (Schurman) Stoops.