Linda L. Maluka, age 70, of Stevens Point, died Wednesday November 8, 2017.

Linda was born October 20, 1947 to the late LeRoy and Leonia (Dowdy) Lantz in Madison. She grew up there, attended the local grade schools, and graduated from Madison East High School in 1963. Linda continued with her education by attending UW-Whitewater. She graduated in 1969 with a degree in teaching and a minor in music.

She married Gary W. Maluka on December 21, 1968 in Madison.

In her earlier years, Linda taught in the special education department at Watertown Elementary School. She subsequently decided to dedicate her life to raising a family over the next five years. Linda and her family moved to Plover, where she became a school bus driver. She was later given the opportunity by the Stevens Point school system to become a teacher’s aide. Linda worked as a teacher’s aide for the school system until retiring in 2014.

Linda will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She had all the qualities of a nurturer: giving her undivided time and attention to her family, friends, and students. Linda enjoyed the simple things life had to offer. She enjoyed preparing good food for family and friends, she was a very good cook. She loved animals and her compassionate heart led her to help strays that needed support and a home. In her earlier years, she enjoyed creative art, which included free drawing and calligraphy. In her later years she enjoyed the simplicity of feeding the birds and growing flowers.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gary Maluka; sons, Jeffrey Maluka and Jeremy (Lena) Maluka; grandchildren, Dustin, Mazie, Joshua, Ryan, and Kayden; sister, Barbara Larson; niece Lauren; and extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3600 Northpoint Dr., Stevens Point, on Saturday, November 18, 2017 with Tom Schraufnagel officiating. At Time of Visitation will precede from 1 PM until the time of service. Interment will take place at a later date in McDill Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.