Linda Charlene (Homsher) Hicks

Linda Charlene (Homsher) Hicks, the first of six children born to Forrest George Homsher and Alice Ann (Johnson) Homsher, passed away on the evening of Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the age of 77.

Linda was born on July 18, 1947 in Lamar, Colorado. She attended school in Springfield, Colorado. She was an avid reader throughout her school years, a trait she would carry with her throughout her life. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1965, and attended college at the University of Northern Colorado. After one year, she returned to Springfield, and on June 12, 1966, married Lowell E. Hicks.

Linda and Lowell lived in Springfield for two years before moving to Creede, Colorado, in September of 1968.  Lowell went to work at the Bulldog Silver Mine in Creede while Linda was busy with their two sons, Stephen Dee Hicks (October 12, 1963) and Dusty Allen Hicks (September 19, 1966). On November 23, 1969, they welcomed their third son, Kyle Brandon Hicks.

Linda was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in 1970, at the young age of only 22. After undergoing surgery, enduring chemo treatments, and fighting for her life, she was blessed to be pronounced cancer free in 1971. There would be no other children for Linda because of the cancer, but she lived cancer free for another 53 years.

Linda and Lowell managed the Broken Arrow Ranch, a dude ranch above Creede in 1972 and 1973. They moved the family back to Springfield where Lowell worked as a carpenter and Linda worked at the abstract office. They managed to build a house in Springfield next door to the house that Linda grew up in.

In 1976, Lowell moved back to Creede to work in the mine again. Linda and the three boys stayed in Springfield until 1980. In the summer of 1980, they sold their house in Springfield and moved to South Fork, Colorado. The family was back together after being separated for four years.

In 1981, Linda’s parents, Forrest and Alice, bought a ski rental business in South Fork. The Powder Connection Ski & Gift Shop provided the opportunity for several Baca County flatlanders and family members, Forrest and Alice Homsher, Lowell and Linda Hicks, and Frosty and Brenda Homsher, to all make a living in the beautiful mountains of southern Colorado.

Steve graduated from Del Norte High School in 1982, Dusty in 1985, and Kyle in 1988. Steve was married in July of 1984, Dusty was married in July of 1985, and Kyle was married in March of 1997. Linda spent her time at the ski shop and going to high school sporting events until 1988. In September of 1988, her first Granddaughter was born, and from then on, Linda focused on her growing family, which would eventually include 10 Grandchildren.

In 1997, Linda and Lowell divorced. Linda continued to own the ski shop until 2001. She left both her home in South Fork and her ski shop, which she had spent the past 20 years of her life at, and moved back to her childhood home in Springfield.

Living again in Springfield, Linda worked for Baca County in the Clerk and Recorder office.  She would work there until she entered retirement. Linda continued to collect and read books. She became much more of a private person and didn’t get out much.

Linda’s health started to seriously deteriorate in 2020. She began to experience congestive heart failure and kidney failure, which plagued her until her passing. In July of 2024, she received the additional diagnosis of lung cancer. Linda passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Springfield Long Term Care facility on Saturday, October 5, 2024. She was surrounded by her three sons and three of her granddaughters. Her youngest son, Kyle, and his three daughters, essentially never left her side from the time she returned from the Colorado Springs hospital to her passing in hospice care. She was able to be aware of having her family together and with her in the days leading up to her passing.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Forrest George Homsher; and two brothers-in-law, Doug Konkel and Bill McEndree.

Linda is survived by her three sons, Stephen Hicks, Dusty Hicks, Kyle (Stacie) Hicks; her ten grandchildren, Taryn (Bryan) Wynkoop, Tate Hicks, Denali Hicks, Dacoda (Lindsey) Hicks, Tegan Hicks, Macayla (Rachel) Sprague, Madison Hicks, Aubree Hicks, Kanyon Hicks, and Kaden Hicks; her Mother, Alice Ann (Johnson) Homsher of Springfield, CO; and her five siblings, Marsha Bishop, Vickie McEndree, Frosty Homsher, Jana Konkel, and Kent (Carmen) Homsher.

A memorial service will be held at the Springfield First Baptist Church at 10:30 am on Saturday November 2, 2024. A graveside service will be held immediately afterward at the Springfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church, 801 Church Street, Springfield, Colorado, 81073.