Linda Marie Andrus Stowell

Linda left this world on July 31, 2026. As with everything she did in life, Linda handled dying from ALS with grace. She was born November 26, 1949, the third child of ten born to John Andrus Jr. and Margie Mae Winterton. As a child on the family sheep ranch in Marion, Utah, she began a lifelong love of extended family and horses. It was her grandpa Andrus who shared and nurtured her love of horses. Her family moved to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to another sheep ranch when Linda was in elementary school. There Linda really enjoyed school. She loved books so much that her school principal named her school librarian and entrusted the key to the library to her. It was from books that she learned about horse training like Western roping and English dressage and jumping. When most people just enjoy riding a horse, Linda developed riding into an art and a lifestyle.

Linda attended Ricks College, Brigham Young University, and graduated from Utah State University in Interior Design. She later developed her own successful interior design business. She developed the Interior Design program at Bridgerland Tech in Logan, Utah, and was the key instructor. Gifted with a sense of color and design, Linda was well versed in art history and architecture. Physically she had a natural beauty and grace and became known as the classy woman with premature white hair. She had a strong work ethic, and it was important to her to live within her means. She was artsy and creative, a gifted teacher, a nurturer to family and friends. 

She married Dan Stowell, and they had two lovely children, Shane and Stephanie. Linda was a devoted mom who loved fiercely and without condition. She tried to offer her children every possible advantage in life. Stephanie was interested in ballet, so Linda was involved in leadership and fundraising for the Cache Valley Ballet. They shared a unique love of all animals. Shane was interested in sports and music. Moreover, Linda helped him in his many entrepreneurial enterprises. 

As she taught both her children about horses, Linda started a group with the 4-H horse club. For the next 30+ years she was heavily involved in teaching youth weekly lessons as a 4-H leader. She mentored more than 150 youth in horses and had an important impact on their lives. She was known as the horse whisperer, and her students were in awe of her ability to understand and aid both horses and youth. The whole Stowell family headed up the 4-H English horse camp for years. She also had a big impact on the lives of her dear friends.

Family and church were the priorities in Linda’s life. She stayed close to her nine siblings and her large extended family. She was very grateful to and loved her parents- in-law, Dan and Glenna Stowell. Most important were her children. After her divorce, Linda lived with her daughter Stephanie. They had a joyful time together! Linda served in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in many different callings, primarily as a teacher in the Young Women organization and in Relief Society for years. Later she served her ward friends as the president of the Relief Society. Linda gained much peace and satisfaction from serving in the temple. And she remained a student of the gospel all her life. Hers was a strong testimony that Jesus Christ lives, is our Savior, and is involved in our lives.

Linda is survived by daughter Stephanie, son Shane (Stacey), and three grandchildren, Porter, Kelsey, and Sophie Stowell. Siblings: Roy (Jo), Clint (Carrie), Kim (Marcie), Ben (Carla), Paul (Sandy), LaWana (Bob Kesler), Dan (Valerie), Nola (Kip Harris), Jay (Dawna). And many treasured aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. We give a special thanks to hospice nurses Rohn Larson, Nurse Tammy, and aide Jeanette for the special care they gave in her last days. And sincere gratitude to Dennis Thornley, a treasured friend who cared for her horses when she was unable to.

In true Linda fashion, she is donating her body to research. No public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Whispering Canyon Foundation’s 4-H horse program. Donations can be sent through Venmo to @Whispering-Canyons in Linda’s name.