Obituary - Linda M. Gopher

Linda M. Gopher, 58, of Yakima, Washington, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, of natural causes at Cottage in the Meadow Hospice in Yakima.

Wake services began at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rocky Boy, and will continue until her funeral service which will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, also at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Eagleman Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Linda's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Linda was born on Aug. 10, 1957, in Havre, Montana, to James and Marie (Merasty) Eagleman Sr.  She was raised in Rocky Boy and Washington state.

Linda married Clarence W. Gopher in 1979, and their union was blessed with four children. The couple made their home in Yakima, Washington, for most of their marriage, raising their children there. Linda worked hard, raising her family and caring for her home, instilling in her children a love for their Native American heritage. She was also active with beadwork, selling many of her beaded creations.

Linda was a loving, giving woman who enjoyed beadwork, playing the guitar, singing country and gospel music, bingo, watching "Forensic Files," "The Price Is Right" and "Family Feud," watching movies (her favorite of which was Ever After) and cooking. She had an open heart and mind who cared for those who were down on their luck.

Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who lived close to her, whom she helped to raise.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marie Eagleman Sr .; her granddaughter Clarissa Smith; her brothers James "Louie" and Robert Eagleman; her sisters Brenda and Caroline Eagleman; and numerous aunties and uncles from Canada and Montana.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Clarence Gopher of Yakima, Washington; her children, William Gopher of Missoula, Nathan Gopher of Rocky Boy and Clarinda (Quentin) Sampson and Belinda Gopher, all of Yakima, Washington; her 23 grandchildren; her two great-grandchildren; her brother David Eagleman of Havre; her adopted brother, Ken Blatt (Karen) St. Marks of Rocky Boy; her sisters Angela (Kermit Corcoran) Eagleman, Carmella (Efrain Torres) Eagleman, and Elizabeth (Joe Azure) Eagleman, all of Havre; her aunties Barbara Eagleman of Rocky Boy and Clara (Bob) Norman of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan; her uncle Joe (Mary) Merasty of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, adopted children, and other extended family and friends.