Linda Klein

Linda Gibson Klein

August 18,1948~ July 27,2021

Linda Klein of Matthews NC passed away Tuesday, July 27 at the Harris Hospice Unit in Charlotte, after a valiant, two-year battle with ovarian cancer. 

Linda was born in Ravenna OH to Paul and Merium Gibson and grew up on the family dairy farm in Edinburg OH. The oldest of four, as a child, Linda was active with her ponies, sewing, 4-H club and in high school she was a majorette for four years and on the Honor Roll. She was always very musically inclined, having studied piano from an early age and playing the clarinet, bassoon, bells, and recorder, as well.

Linda attended Muskingum College in New Concord OH and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University in 1970. She played bassoon in the Akron University Symphony Orchestra and toured with them, performing in several different countries in Europe. Her teaching career started at North Royalton Elementary School in OH and she retired from Waxhaw Elementary School in 2014. She earned the National Teachers Certification while teaching in Waxhaw.

Linda moved from Akron OH to Charlotte in 2001, two years after her husband, Bruce, who had moved to be closer to his parents. Linda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (called Oma, because she did not want to be “grandma”), sister, and aunt. As an adult she loved singing in the choir at MSLC, playing the recorder and bassoon on special occasions. Her passion for sewing continued from childhood, having made many Halloween costumes for her boys. Later in life, her sewing passion turned to quilting, which family and friends have received and cherished over the years.

Survivors include her husband of 50 1/2 years, Bruce Klein; sons, Joshua (Sasha) of Cleveland OH and Benjamin (Melissa) of Lakewood OH; brother Steve (Carol) of Albemarle NC and sister, Carol (Bill) Bauman of Charleston SC. Linda leaves four grandchildren; Kazimir, Delia, Desmond and Miles; mother-in-law, Penny Klein of Douglasville GA, brother-in-law’s, Chuck (Sarah) Klein of Concord NC; Dane (Becky) Klein of Rock Hill SC, and sister-in-law, Valerie (Jimmy) Gordon of Douglasville GA, many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Merium Gibson: Father-in-law, Fritz Klein, brother, Doug Gibson and best friend Martha McConnell Hatcher.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kellie Schneider, oncologist, the staff at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center and the Harris Hospice Unit for being compassionate caregivers to Linda for the past two years and special family friends for their love and support.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Harris Hospice Unit, 200 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte NC 28204 or Morning Star Lutheran Church.

Flowers: Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Linda by her family of faith at Morning Star Lutheran Church.

Service: August 21, 2021 family will receive visitors beginning at 9:00 AM. Service will be 11:00 AM at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 12509 Idlewild Rd., Matthews NC 28105.

For the safety of all, the family asks that those who are not vaccinated wear masks.