Linda Wilmett

Linda Willmett died in her home in Durango, Colo., on Friday, April 6, 2012, after a long battle with many illnesses. Linda was 70.

She was born on July 11, 1941, to Ruth and Frank Smith in Belle Fourche, S.D. Raised as an Army brat, she grew up in many places, one of which was Anchorage, Alaska. After Frank got out of the Army, the family lived in Phoenix, Ariz., where Linda graduated from high school. After high school, she worked as a stewardess for a while, then went to beauty school and got her cosmetology license. She married John R. Ritter, Jr., on March 4, 1961. They had a son, Christopher. The marriage later ended in divorce

In 1973, she moved to Durango, where she worked for Cetchpole Beauty Shop and The Hair Depot. For many years, she also did hair for Hood Mortuary. She married Don Willmett on August 30, 1980. She worked as a bookkeeper with her husband at Pine River Auto Supply in Bayfield, Colo., until her health forced her to work from home. She was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband, Donald Willmett, of Durango, Colo., son, Christopher Ritter, of Durango, stepdaughters Jewel Dougharty, and Donna Willmett of Pueblo, Colo., and Susan Baker of Commerce City, Colo., and stepson Edward Willmett of Durango, eight grandkids and many nieces and nephews.

One of her favorite things to do was to spend a long weekend in a cabin in Lake City. She was an avid reader, and she loved to go to the libraries in Bayfield and Durango. She loved her family and her pets.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Linda Willmett Memorial Fund at Pine River Valley Bank in Bayfield.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Florida Mesa Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Dan Straw officiating.