Elaine Marie Linville

Elaine Marie Linville, 63, of Kansas City, MO passed away Saturday, September 2^nd, 2023 at her beloved Friendship House.  Elaine was born April 19, 1960 at the Bales Hospital in Carrollton, Missouri to James Richard and Nadine Frances (Hofmann) Linville.  Elaine grew up in Norborne, MO, attended Norborne Public Schools (beginning with kindergarten taught by her mother), and graduated from Norborne High School with the mighty class of 1981.

Elaine worked at Opportunity Enterprises, Inc. in Carrollton until 1999 when she moved to Immacolata Manor in Liberty, Mo, and then worked at Vocational Services, Inc. for 24 years until her retirement earlier this year.   In her spare time, Elaine enjoyed dancing, singing, bowling, celebrations of all sorts, and attending Continuing Education for Adults with Developmental Disabilities at Maple Woods Community College.  An annual highlight of Elaine’s life was returning to Norborne to attend the Soybean Festival.   You can say that again!

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and housemate Julia Brisbin.  Those left to cherish her memory include her 25-year housemate Sissy Sandra Brownsberger and her long-time fiancé Baby Kenny Ray Conn; Big Bro and Sis-in-law John and Connie Linville of Overland Park; her two nieces Andrea and Sara Linville; favorite cousin Farrell Hockemeier of Richmond; first cousins Dave and Doris Beebe of Norborne, Ray Sweeney of Carrollton, and Kay Cafer of Columbia; the Judith Goetting family; and her faithful friend Valerie Summer.

Elaine lived a full, happy, and joyful life, due in large part to the patience and compassion of many caregivers in many capacities, but never so much as in these final days with the staff of Life Unlimited, most especially Ms. Christine Clary who lovingly treated Elaine as a sister.  The family encourages generous contributions to Life Unlimited, Inc. which provides daily living support to an extensive community of adults with developmental disabilities throughout the Northland at 2135 Manor Way, Liberty, MO 64068 or lifeunlimitedinc.org. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 7th at St. James Catholic Church in Liberty with visitation during the hour preceding mass.   Burial will be Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. alongside her parents at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Norborne with a graveside service conducted by Fr. Ken Criqui.