Linda (RedLeaf) Hern was born on September 17, 1961 in Rapid City, South Dakota. She attended Rapid City Area Public Schools. During which time, at age 6, she had the opportunity to present Senator Robert Kennedy with a pair of moccasins. Linda wed Mark Winder and from that union she was blessed with Mary Rose and Mark Stanley. She later met and married Richard Hern. During that time she would again be blessed with another child, her baby, Ashley. Linda enjoyed and had a tremendous passion for life. She placed great importance on her tiospaye (extended family). Linda experienced great joy in parenting and was provided an opportunity to teach her children values of trust, honesty, love, generosity, and respect. Linda was humble in deed, word and spirit. She exemplified strength and perseverance during obstacles she was presented with. In the mid 1990's Linda, while enjoying breakfast, had an accident which left her with a broken neck. Miraculously there was no paralysis. During her recovery Linda never complained and continued to teach and show us more of the gentle, humble spirit she possessed. Linda was an accomplished and tough competitor in the pool and billiards scene. She placed and won tournaments locally and regionally, both in individual and team competition, many times placing first. She was a formidable opponent both in individual and team competition. Her most recent trophy was first place in the city eight ball singles tournament. Linda was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer in March of 2007. This diagnosis did not deter her from being the gentle, humble, daughter, sister, friend, mother and grandmother. Within weeks of her diagnosis Linda was holding her newest grandson, Brandon, who was only hours old. Overall, Linda was blessed with three grandsons, one from each of her three children. Before completing her journey here on earth, Linda played and held each of her grandchildren. During the most trying and difficult times Linda never complained and demonstrated a strength and fortitude that didn't surprise those who knew her, often times expressing, 'I'm not afraid,' and 'I have my family.' She was surrounded by her family when she completed her journey. After completing her journey here on earth, waiting for her are her father Steven RedLeaf, her brothers Dennis and Ray, and nephews Joe and Baby Schmidt. Survivors include her mother, Vivian Rose RedLeaf; children Mark Winder and his wife Miranda and their son Chayton; Mary Rose Winder and her partner Joe and their son Brandon; Ashley Hern and her son Javone; sisters Peggy RedLeaf and her sons Mark and Jerry; Mary Schmidt and her children Maria, Shelley, Angelee, Linda, Pamela, Nina and Nicholas; and Gwen RedLeaf (all of Rapid City, SD) , and Joyce Farham and her children Michael, Stephanie, and Steven (of Idaho), brothers Joe RedLeaf and his wife Rosie and their children Christine, Karen, and Patrick; Thomas RedLeaf and his wife Priscilla and their children Thomas, Tim, and Leah; Dean RedLeaf and his partner Susan Gregg and Dean's daughter Misty; Don RedLeaf and his partner Laura Lewis (all of Rapid City, SD), Dale RedLeaf and his wife Nita (from Denver, Colorado) and their children Dale Jr. and Jessica and also Loretta Gayle; Eddie RedLeaf (of Wyoming). The family would like to give a special thank you to Jackie Schwartz and Lori Hawkins.