Linda Nightengale

A warm well-lit evening at a social dance hosted in the Gardens Trocadero Ballroom at Eliches in Denver, Colorado was the event where Henry Brotzman and Grace Powell would meet. As Big Band music played, the foundations of a new family would be laid. From that fateful evening ten new lives came into this world, and one of those would be our dearly beloved Linda. Born on January 22, 1952 as the ninth of ten children, Linda lived in a full house where everyone pitched in. About the time she was in 2nd grade, her mother Grace entered the work force; and Linda and her siblings became latch key kids, coming home after school to finish homework and complete their assigned chores. Weeks were filled with long hours and hard work, but after church on Sunday and a good Sunday dinner there were afternoon drives to look forward to. With 12 people piled into the car, the family would make their way into the mountains of Colorado to enjoy the splendor and grandeur of God’s creation. Many know the love and fondness that Linda had for the mountains and nothing could beat the majesty of the great Colorado Rockies. The first family vacations she took were to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, forever a favorite destination. During high school Linda joined the Pep Club, a perfect outlet for her perpetual desire to root for the home team, and worked in a local pizza shop to make extra money. Linda graduated from Westminster High School in 1970 and took a job with the local phone company. With a full-time job, she was able to afford an apartment of her own and quickly stepped out into the world to forge her path. This new path would take her to Greely, Colorado and a new job driving a delivery route for L’eggs hosiery. It was here she found the start her own family in marriage to Stan Nightengale in 1975 and the blessing of four children who would become the focus of her life. As their the family grew, they purchased a new home outside Eaton, Colorado on 22 acres. This was the location of so many wonderful memories for the young family as Linda worked hard as the matriarch of her burgeoning family. As new paths sometimes diverge, there came a fork in the road and her marriage ended. Linda worked hard to move forward, pursuing a real estate license and becoming a licensed realtor in the early 90’s. Never afraid to take the path less traveled, Linda moved to Florida in 1995 to be near her children. One of the very first things she did upon moving was to find a church to call home. This brought her to Grace Immanuel Bible Church where she remained for the rest of her life. Linda continued her education by pursuing an accounting degree, proudly graduating in 2001. This was an important step towards becoming a CPA. She started her job with Florida Power and Light (FPL) in 2008 as a staff accountant, and later a senior account. In 2017 Linda was able to purchase her dream home, a ranch‑style home in a quiet retirement community, in Tequesta. She often expressed how happy she was there and how blessed she felt to be able to find such a wonderful place. Linda retired in 2019. But she was never one to sit long, so she quickly filled her time with all the activities that seemed to evade her before. She pursued her beloved hobby of sewing, as well as, being more involved in church, including the bell choir, missions’ trips, bible study groups, and evening classes on theology. She also traveled, seeing family and exotic locations around the world. And of course, hosting; Linda enjoyed opening the home to anyone. Thanksgiving of 2021 was a holiday to remember, as Linda desired her home to be filled with all of her beloved family. This brought Linda’s sister Peggy and her husband Darrell into town. After a happy reunion and joyful lunch, Linda suffered a massive brain aneurysm. She was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center to get the best neurological treatment available but was never able to recover. At approximately 3:15 a.m., Monday, November 29, 2021 surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Linda shed her mortal coil and was embraced in the loving arms of Christ, entering into her eternal home to partake in the feast of God’s grace. Linda was preceded into eternity by her parents, Henry and Grace Brotzman, her siblings, Ron and Sharon, and her grandson, Benjamin. She is survived by her seven siblings: Nancy, Judy, Carol, Lucky, Joyce, Peggy, and Shirley; her children: Michelle, Molly, Rick, and Annie; and her grandchildren: Kevin, Dillon, Preston, Katrien, Eliashib, Othniel, and Luca.

Linda Nightengale

January 22, 1952 - November 29, 2021