Linda Train

Linda Mae Train of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021, after a courageous five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by the love of many family members.

She was born in Lindsborg, Kansas, to Leo and Signe Anderson Larson Sept. 4, 1939. Linda was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother, Esther Marie Peterson Anderson. She married Dr. Carl Train in July 1960 (divorced in 1993), and they raised three children together after moving to Cape Girardeau in 1967.

Linda had many different jobs over the years, all involving customer service and helping others. Her pleasant personality impacted everyone she met, whether it was helping brides-to-be pick out fine china at Hale's Fine Jewelry or assisting customers at Fantasticks to find the perfect gift. She began her employment at Southeast Hospital in 1995, first as a dispatcher for the Meals on Wheels program, and then moving to the lobby desk, where she coordinated volunteer services. Linda proudly received the Spirit of Southeast Award in 2002. She reluctantly retired in 2014 due to the onset of health issues.

She was a friend to all, and her passion in life was helping others. She took as much pleasure comforting a crying baby for a busy mom as she did helping someone navigate the halls of the hospital. Besides her work, she also enjoyed participation in the Tri Psi Mothers group and the Southeast Hospital Auxiliary, volunteering many hours with these organizations. For most of her years in Cape Girardeau, Linda was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and belonged to the women's group, altar guild and choir. Even as her health declined and she was residing at Chateau Girardeau, she continued caring for others by surprising the staff with little treats or candy and going out of her way to make other residents comfortable.

Her favorite job of all was being mom and (great) grandma. She loved making chocolate chip pancakes or her famous toasted cheese for grandchild sleepovers (or anyone who stopped by), baking peanut butter cookies when someone came to visit, and overseeing the Chex Mix and "Grandma Dip" for parties and holidays. She was always generous with her time and talents: ready to babysit, sew/hem, or play taxi driver at a moment's notice. Linda was a master at laundry which benefited her entire family (and others)! Seriously, she loved to do wash. She attended all the school and extra-curricular events she could with the pride that only a mom/grandma could have.

Linda is survived by her three children, Sydney (Charlie) Herbst, Spencer (Kim) Train and Stacia (Charles) Ledbetter; seven grandchildren, Erin (Jared) Bieser, Allyson Wolff, Taylor (Chloe) Herbst, Travis Herbst, Claire Herbst, Shannon (Shay) Healy and Charlie (Alexis) Ledbetter; and six great-grandchildren, Ethan and Jesslyn Bieser, Piper and Beau Healy, and Carter and Calvin Herbst.

The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Girardeau Senior Center, 921 Clark St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association at als.org/donate or ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter, 1950 Craig Road, Suite 22, St. Louis, MO 63146.

The family would like to thank the staff at Chateau Girardeau (in particular Trish, Beverly, Billy, LaDonna and Jennifer) and Dr. Michael Jedlinski for the wonderful care they provided.

Crain Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Cape Girardeau has been entrusted with the arrangements.

To view the obituary or leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.crainsonline.com.