Linda S Behr

Linda was an extremely giving person. She always placed others above herself, was there to add a helping hand or encouraging word. Linda was often thought of as a “favorite aunt” with her many, many nieces and nephews. Linda would always do her best to be there by remembering birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. If Linda wasn’t at the forefront, helping to organize celebrations, she was still there sharing gifts (even if the budget couldn’t afford it). Family was so important to Linda! Family was not just in name only. Family was in love. While her mother-in-law, Helen Behr was alive, Linda and Helen spent countless hours traveling the countryside, visiting parks, and enjoying the very beauty that nature had to offer. Not only was Linda a beloved companion, Linda was the daughter that Helen never had. Linda’s family also extended to all her friends, some dating back to her high school years. Linda never forgot. She would always think of her dear friends, far too many to briefly mention, and even if not in contact for a while, out of the blue, comment “I‘ve got to get a hold of Gloria, or Dar“ or whomever was on her mind at the moment, and finish by saying “to see how they’re doing!”. People were Linda’s elixir. Linda touched so very many souls. Linda, as she was growing to maturity, didn’t think of herself as creative, but her true originality showed through in her distinctive stained glass creations, her devoted photography, and how she was able to find positive solutions for the many clients she eagerly served. Linda literally touched thousands of people, bringing smiles and joy to nearly everyone she met. Her portrait and wedding photography of others not only captured the grace and charm of everyone she met, her images brought joy and warmth to the thousands more who had the opportunity to view her imagery. After spending nearly four decades in the portrait industry, operating two successful studios, Linda moved on from serving to a distinguished consulting and sales position at the JCPenney West Towne Window Covering department. It was there, within just a few years, Linda consistently became one of JCPenney’s top ten consultants in the nation. In spite of her national accomplishments, Linda never thought of herself as a “salesperson” but as a person responsible for exceptional “customer service”. Not surprisingly, Linda would go way out of her way, often on her own time, to make sure each of her clients received the very best in personal service. It was truly her deep caring and committed positive attitude that made her one of the best in the country.This was Linda, at work, at home and with her family. Linda and her husband, Gary never had children, at least the two legged kind. Life with the photography studio(s) was too hectic and unpredictable. But Linda and Gary did have a family, in fact a large ”family”. Linda and Gary have a deep love for cats, and it is their “cats” that early on, became their family, their “kids”. Every cat was a rescue, sometimes from the very brink of death’s door, and every cat was loved and cherished. Many of Linda and Gary’s rescues were able to find loving “forever homes”, and some, not so much. It became a standing joke that if their foster kitties weren’t able to find a “forever home” within six to eight weeks — they had their home, in the loving care of Linda and Gary.  It wasn’t long before Linda and Gary acquired the lasting reputation as “foster failures”. A namesake, they were both proud to wear! There was a time when Linda’s family was up to 25 cats. All fosters, all loved, all cherished, all living under the same roof. Though it may have, on occasion, been a challenge to care for their household of “kids”, Linda was always there first to make sure they were healthy, cared for, well fed and always with clean litter boxes. Linda’s love knew no bounds.There was another rumor that developed, with probable foundation, that all their foster cats had the innate ability to read. And the word these loving cats read so well, was the word “sucker” emblazoned across Linda and Gary’s foreheads. A name neither of them would ever allow to be erased. Linda never thought of herself as “courageous” either. But she was, infinitely so. Her last few years on earth were with filled with many challenges, some of which could have defeated a lesser person, but not Linda. In 2015, Linda fell and hit hear head against a stone wall, which when she had her head x-rayed, led to the discovery of a brain tumor. While she was recovering from that injury, it was then discovered she had a fistula, a drainage from her intestines to other areas of her body. Linda then went into surgery to close the fistula and had to wear an colostomy bag outside her stomach for the next several months. Both a morally and physically depressing condition. Every once and a while, Linda would ask her husband “Am I feeling sorry for myself? … Well if I am, kick me in the butt!” Linda always tried to be strong! When the doctors operated to close and remove the external drainage bag, even more complications arose. Her second surgery began festering and it was necessary for a third surgery to open and leave open a gaping hole in her stomach so her wound could heal from the inside outward. This left Linda with an open hole in her stomach, initially about the size of a tennis ball, which needed daily cleaning and care. Yet one more of Linda’s challenges. Daily bed care continued for several months as Linda healed. More brain scans during this time revealed that Linda’s tumor was growing and urgency was essential. So with still an open and healing wound in her stomach, Linda went into neurosurgery on May 24th, 2016. The surgery, expected to last 10-12 hours, pressed on for 17 hours. Linda’s recovery was painfully slow. Originally everyone had hoped Linda would be fully recovered and back to her old self within a week or two. As it turned out in the process of removing the tumor, located below her pituitary gland, the surgery also removed part of her pituitary itself and a portion of her hypothalamus as well. These critical glands also control memory, endocrine system, body temperature and other critical anatomical functions. Linda had lost all her short term memory, often asking questions just answered a few moments before, a condition Linda would never recover from. In addition, Linda had lost control of her body heat, often dropping as low as 92°F. Linda’s endocrine system which controlled her potassium, sodium and sugar levels, were also extremely hard to control. Often spiking in one direction or another within mere hours, leading to transport to emergency room almost on a weekly basis. In spite of all this, Linda was aware of both her current state and how life used to be before her operations. This knowledge and realization was perhaps the most depressing of all, particularly without the firm prospect of better days. Living each day with that knowledge, for indeed Linda is a really sharp lady, took immense courage.Throughout this entire ordeal, Linda’s first words at every visit was “… how are our kids (cats) doing?” And then Linda would say “… you didn’t have to come, I know you’re busy.” Just like Linda, always thinking of others before herself. Linda will always be deeply missed, as much for who she was, as well as the love and principles she stood for. As days go by, please stop every now and then, remember Linda’s infectious smile, and say a prayer for our precious girl..   Mary Ellen Raemisch's Eulogy for Her Daughter Linda Linda Sue Behr (Raemisch), who always hopeful of her recovery, died on September 16, 2017, at the UW Hospital in Madison after a long illness. She was born in Madison and attended the Verona school system, graduating from Verona High School. She married Gary L. Behr on December 31, 1975, in Madison and subsequently transitioned to Gary’s Army assignment station, Ft. Meade, Maryland. After Gary completed his tour of duty, they returned to Verona where they established and operated the Expressive Image Photography Studio, initially in Verona and later moving to Madison, then Stoughton. Linda was always ready to help someone and always there to plan and organize memorable celebrations for family and friends (Linda considered her nieces and nephews as part of her immediate family). After their studio closed in the 2000’s, Linda was employed by JCPenney’s, making many new friends and excelling as a nationally recognized associate. Linda is survived by her husband Gary Behr; her mother, Mary Ellen Raemisch;brothers, Carl (Cathi) Raemisch; Frank (Stephanie) Raemisch; and Bill (partner, Kathy) Raemisch; sisters, Nancy Ranum; Kathy (Chris) Hofmann; and her many nieces and nephews, Chris, Michael, Nicholas, Charles, Matthew and Quincy Raemisch, Heather (Craig) Squire, Veronica (Nate) Brooks, and Frederick and Anna Hofmann; and the many, many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends who’s lives were immeasurably enriched by knowing Linda. She was preceded in death by her father Charles, who died February 2, 2000; grandparents, Frank and Juliana Rodenschmit, Carl and Alma Raemisch; and father and mother-in-law, Erhard and Helen Behr.A celebration of life was held at Holy Mother of Consolation church, Oregon, WI, with Father Gary Wankerl presiding. A special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers for their exceptional care and professional expertise during Linda’s illness. May Linda rest peacefully in her heavenly home, with God’s grace, as we here on earth, live with our cherished memories.