Linda K. Ford, 73, of Leisure World Mesa, passed awayOctober 29, 2014 after a long battle with ALS.She was sustained in her final journey by her faith in her Lord Jesus Christ and the support of her many friends. Linda was born in Waterman, Illinois on March 12, 1941 to Blanche and Peter Ruestman Jr. who proceeded her in death.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Tom, two sons, Jeff (Susan) and Drew (Jennifer), two brothers Arlen Ruestman of Toluca, Illinois and Neil Ruestman of Minonk, Illinois, three aunts, Audy Rivard, Eileen Sutter and Jean Hock and five grandchildren, Mark, Amy, Jack, Michael and Alyssa.

Linda grew up on a family farm outside Minonk, Illinois attending grades one through five in a one room country school and finishing grade school and high school in Minonk.After a year studying English at Eastern Illinois University, she put Tom through engineering school at the University of Illinois by working in the University Library.

Following school , 50 years ago, they moved to the east valley where she raised her boys. She sold real estate for LaVaty Reality and worked in the Church office of King of Glory Lutheran Church.She was active in Tempe Juniors, Beta Sigma Phi, Red Hat Society and her church group, Serendipity. After her grandchildren arrived, first priority was babysittingand attending all of their many activities.Linda always looked forward to her monthly card group. Years of camping with many friends finally resulted in a cabin at Forest Lakes on the rim. Linda was active during the summers with the Forest Lakes Quilting Group and Forest Lakes Community Church and looked forward to visits from the grandchildren.

Linda traveled with friends to Europe several times and to Israel where she brought home Jordan River water for her grandson Mark's baptism.Linda strengthened and lived her faith by participating in, starting, and facilitating dozens of Bible and prayer studies both in the East Valley and at Forest Lakes.

A memorial service, celebrating her life, will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday November 11 at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe.A light lunch/reception will follow.Memorials can be sent to ALS Association Arizona Chapter , 360 E. Coronado Rd.Suite 140, Phoenix, Az.85004 or to the Ruud Fund at King of Glory.She is home now.She was loved and will be missed.