Linda Marie (Atherton) Gerstenmeier

Linda Atherton Gerstenmeier passed away peacefully in her home in Burleson on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. She was 68. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ann Catholic Church of Burleson. Interment: DFW National Cemetery, Dallas. Rosary: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Linda was born in Corpus Christi on Aug. 16, 1947. The daughter of Walton LaRue and Odilia Atherton, she spent the first 11 years of her life in South Texas. The family later moved to the Norfolk, Va., area where Linda graduated from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach as its first valedictorian in 1965. Linda attended the Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg, Va., where she met her future husband, Arnim Gerstenmeier. They were married on July 12, 1968, at Fort Campbell, Ky., where Lt. Gerstenmeier was stationed. Shortly after, Linda transferred to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., where she received her bachelor's degree in language the following year. Linda gave birth to their son, William Frederick, on June 16, 1970, while she was working as a teacher in Clarksville. She gave birth to their daughter, Charlotte Anne, on Jan. 14, 1972, in Fredericksburg, Va., where Linda had attended college. The family lived in Virginia until April 1978 when they moved to Burleson. After the family had settled in and both children were in school, Linda began substitute teaching. She was soon persuaded to take a full-time position as a Spanish teacher at Burleson High School. Her duties would eventually be expanded to include French and German. Linda earned a master's degree in education administration from Texas Christian University and served as chair of the language department until 2005. A devoted wife, loving mother and devout Catholic, Linda's lasting legacy to those she leaves behind is her undying love for her family and for her friends. Through happy times like holiday get-togethers and in spite of many hardships, it was her positive strength and rock-solid faith which always carried the day, a shining example of her true devotion. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Walton and Odilia Atherton. Survivors: Linda is survived by her husband, Arnim; her son, William Gerstenmeier and his wife, Audra, also of Burleson; daughter, Charlotte Keever and her husband, Bryan, of Rendon; granddaughters, Kristen Teaff and Erika Keever; grandsons, Austin Gerstenmeier, Andrew Keever and Brenden Keever; great-granddaughter, Savannah Teaff; brothers, Peter Atherton and Roy Atherton and his wife, Donna; her aunt, Gila Tomasula; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Eulogy: Linda Atherton Gerstenmeier (1947 - 2015) Linda Marie Atherton was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on August 16, 1947. The daughter of Walton LaRue and Odilia Almaraz Atherton, she spent the first eleven years of her life in South Texas where her father, a WWII Marine veteran, worked as an avionics technician for the US Navy. Her mother was a teacher. The family later moved to the Norfolk, Virginia area where Linda graduated from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach as its first valedictorian. After her graduation in June, 1965, Linda attended Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. While at the university she met her future husband, Arnim Gerstenmeier. They dated for a time and were married on July 12, 1968 in the Post Chapel at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, where Lt. Gerstenmeier was stationed. After the wedding, Linda transferred to the local college, Austin Peay State University, in Clarksville, Tennessee, where she received her bachelor's degree in language the following year. They remained in Clarksville after her husband left active service to earn his masters degree there. Linda gave birth to their son, William Frederick, on June 16, 1970 while she was working as a teacher in Clarksville. Soon after, the family moved to the Washington, DC area where her husband found a job as an insurance underwriter in Annandale, Virginia. Linda gave birth to their daughter, Charlotte Anne, on January 14, 1972, in Fredericksburg, Virginia where Linda had attended college. The family remained in Virginia until April, 1978 when they moved to Burleson, Texas. After the family had settled in and both children were in school, Linda began substitute teaching. She was soon persuaded to take a full-time position as a Spanish teacher at Burleson High School. Her duties would eventually be expanded to include French and German. In 1980, Linda earned a Masters Degree in education administration from Texas Christian University. She served as chairman of the ever-expanding language department until 2005. At BHS, Linda was always involved in school activities, whether it was a Spanish Club trip, a language competition or a sports event. Her students had her full attention. She often volunteered as a translator for the City of Burleson, sometimes late at night. Her students and family always came first. Whether it was a letter of recommendation for a graduate or a tutoring session for a student have difficulties, Linda always found the time and the right words. No student was ever turned away. Linda had the good fortune to be a teacher to both of her children and one of her grandkids and hundreds of graduates benefited from her caring, patient style of teaching. Caring, yes but Linda was a "no nonsense" teacher. During her time in Burleson, Linda was very active in St. Ann Roman Catholic Church. She was a member of the Legion of Mary, a lay minister of the Eucharist, a CCD (Sunday school) teacher and a Confirmation sponsor. After she retired and until her battle with cancer which began in 2013, she attended daily Mass and was a member of a prayer group. Her strong, unwavering faith was a blessing to all who knew her and she was a pillar of faith and strength to her family. Linda enjoyed the beach. Born on the Gulf coast and having lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, while her father worked for the Navy, she spent many happy hours there and passed this love on not only to her children but to her grandchildren as well. Even her great granddaughter, Savannah Rene, paid her first visit to the beach this past summer. The family made many annual vacation trips to the Texas coast for many years and the photos and warm memories of those happy days will comfort the family for years to come. A devoted wife, loving mother and devout Christian, Linda's lasting legacy to those she leaves behind is her undying love for her family and for her friends. Through happy times like holiday get-togethers and in spite of many hardships, it was her positive strength and rock-solid faith which was always carried the day, a shining example of her true devotion. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Walton and Odilia Atherton, and is survived by her husband Arnim, her son William Gerstenmeier and his wife Audra, also of Burleson, daughter Charlotte Keever and her husband Bryan of Rendon, granddaughters Kristen Teaff and Erika Keever, grandsons Austin Gerstenmeier, Andrew Keever and Brenden Keever and one great-granddaughter, Savannah Teaff, brothers Peter Atherton and Roy Atherton and his wife Donna, her aunt Gila Tomasula and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces

Visitation Details

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Mountain Valley Funeral Home

Service Information

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 10:00am, St. Ann Catholic Church

Details:

Service Extra Info Funeral Mass

Interment Details

DFW National Cemetery