Linda J. Montzka

A Memorial Service for Linda J. Montzka, of Alexandria, Minnesota, formerly of Starbuck will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck, MN. Don Swenson will officiate.

Linda Jean Croom was born on April 5, 1948, in Morris, Minnesota the daughter of Howard and Eunice (Ahrens) Croom. She grew up in Morris where she attended school and graduated with the Morris High School Class of 1966.

She continued her education at St. Barnabas Nursing School in Minneapolis, MN, where she received her Registered Nursing degree. She then began her first job at the Hutchinson hospital.

In 1967, she met Jack Montzka and the couple married on June 21, 1969. Jack and Linda lived and worked in many places including Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Eventually, they settled in Starbuck where Linda worked for over 20 years as a registered nurse at the Starbuck Hospital. The couple had a cabin on Lake Mary near Alexandria and later remodeled it, making it a year-round home.

Linda was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She made it a point to attend as many of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities as she could. She loved her cats and had many over the years. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, and keeping in touch with family and friends. Linda had a heart for caring for other people even though she had many health challenges of her own.

She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria and formerly a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck.

Linda died Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. She was 77 years old.

She is survived by her daughter, Tara (Darren) Engelbrecht of Alexandria; son, Jason (Jill) Montzka of Morris and six grandchildren, Hunter, Ethan, Gavin and Seth Engelbrecht and Chayla and Landon Montzka.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Eunice and her husband, Jack Montzka..