Linda Sue Long (Hostetter)

Linda Sue "Hostetter" Long passed away surrounded by her family on her beloved Redlands Mesa Ranch, April 15, 2024 at the age of 79. Linda was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. 

Linda Sue Hostetter was born February 21, 1945 in Gilman, Colorado, the daughter of Robert J. and Dorothy L. (Nimon) Hostetter. She passed away at her home in Hotchkiss, Colorado on April 15, 2024 with her loving children by her side. 

Linda spent her childhood in Colorado, raised on the family ranch near Radium up Sheephorn Creek along with her 3 siblings Elaine, Bobby and Becki. She and her siblings went to a one room country schoolhouse, then were bused to Kremmling in later years. Growing up Linda learned many valuable attributes from her grandmother Suzetta, whom she loved dearly, and who lived with them at the Sheephorn. There was never much idle time for a child living on a ranch, Linda was always busy with chores to be done, cooking (including for the hired men), tending to sheep, cattle and even feeding the orphaned deer that continued to come back every hunting season for several years.

As a teenager, Linda, while attending a dance at State Bridge near McCoy, Colorado met a handsome cowboy from Oak Creek, Colorado that her older sister and brother knew. After a brief courtship, Linda married Nelson J “Rocky” Long on January 13, 1961 at his Aunt Vagola (Dodi) and Uncle Don’s home in Golden, Colorado. 

It created some family ruckus when Linda did not come home on the school bus, especially when her parents asked Becki, Linda’s youngest sister where she was, it was reported that she might have run off to get married! The Hostetter home was somewhat tense for a couple of weeks until Linda came home to face the music as she said, telling her father that she loved Rocky and planned on staying married. Needless to say, Linda got her way. Their life was full of adventures, they lived in various places, wherever Rocky’s jobs took them with construction, building roads, drilling wells, working in mines, and ranching. They lived all over Colorado, in Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Utah. No matter where they were, Linda always considered the Sheephorn as her home.   Linda and Rocky raised 4 children together, Michael Jess, Sheila Jo, Gary Allen and Celeste Elaine. The marriage lasted for over 60 years until Rocky passed away in 2021.

In 1976 Linda and Rocky had settled in Monticello, Utah. With the children growing older, she decided to go to work as a waitress and cook at a local cafe. She eventually worked at most of the town’s restaurants and it's where she learned to cook for large crowds, bake many desserts, pastries, and perfect her famous hot roll recipe. It became her passion; serving many meals at family gatherings, church events, and other special events, even catering weddings & reunions. She became well known for her hot rolls and cake decorating.  Linda was an exceptional cook, and she will be remembered for her baking and her desire to share it with others. She was happiest in her kitchen cooking or searching for a new recipe from the large collection of cookbooks that she had. Each year she spent many hours canning fruits and vegetables along with dozens of jars of jams and jellies. She just couldn't leave a jar empty in the fall! When visiting Linda’s house, you rarely left without a jar or two in your hand. During these years she also enjoyed sewing, making many of her children’s clothing, pajamas, western shirts for Rocky or designing little girl dresses or doll clothes.

While living in Utah, Linda became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Monticello; she was very dedicated to her church and strong in her faith which gave her joy and carried her through the difficult times and loss of loved ones. She treasured her callings, especially with the children and cooking for church functions.

In1993, Linda and Rocky relocated to Hotchkiss, Colorado on Redlands Mesa to help her aging father with his ranch. They settled in on the mesa managing the livestock; Linda irrigated the hayfields, Rocky cut and stacked the hay while doing mechanical and backhoe work locally. If that wasn't enough for Linda, around 2002 when the new Walmart in Delta opened, she went to work there as one of the first employees. While she worked in several different departments over the years, her favorite was the fabric department. Her family often wondered if she went to work for the first choice of fabric and not the paycheck! Linda gained many new friends while working, often taking cookies, pies or cakes to the break room that her co-workers looked forward to. She had a way of sharing her homemade treats and desserts with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Later, if she needed a return favor, who could say no to her? She retired after 20 years in 2022, but still dropped off treats to her friends and co-workers occasionally.

 Whenever time allowed, Linda loved to go back to the Sheephorn, taking a picnic lunch and her fishing pole. Some of her favorite pastimes included irrigating the fields, caring for cows, cooking, sewing, crocheting, fishing, reading, and constantly collecting new recipes to try out. She especially enjoyed her church and Walmart families - always planning a new dish or treat to share. 

The most valuable time was spent with her family and grandchildren. Precious memories were made over the years as the grandchildren spent their summers at the ranch, playing, helping feed and chase cows, riding in the back of grandpa’s pick-up, gathering the chicken eggs, branding cattle, picking rocks out of the fields, getting ice cream at Go-Fer Foods in town, playing in the swimming pool grandma bought for them, or riding 4-wheelers and running free with their cousins. There was always a house full of grandchildren and great grandchildren in the summers, along with nieces, nephews, including great and great-great nieces and nephews. Linda welcomed all who walked through her door including the many friends and neighbors she had. She had a full life leaving a large legacy of family and hard work.

On most spring, summer, and fall evenings you could find Linda with her favorite irrigating shovel (it was her dad's), if you looked, you would see her with the shovel on her shoulder crossing the green fields. Even this spring Linda was still tending and feeding the cows, anticipating the new calves that would be born. Linda passed away showing her family and friends the beauty of her strength, showing grace, and love, and giving all she had with a smile. She worked hard all her life, may she rest in peace. She will be greatly missed.

Proceed in death by her husband; Nelson J “Rocky” Long, son; Gary Allen Long, parents; Robert “Bob” and Dorothy L. Hostetter, In-laws; John and Edith “Toots” Long,  grandparents; George and Minnie Nimon, Allen and Suzetta Hostetter, sister; Elaine Craig, brother; Robert J “Bobby” (Candy) Hostetter Jr., infant baby brother; George A Hostetter, brother-in-law; Dusty Long, nephew; Donald Long, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives.

Survived by her son; Mike Long, daughters; Sheila Hoffman and Celeste Avery (Drew), 16 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, sister; Becki Graves, brother-in-law; Mike (Connie) Long, sisters-in-law; Ann Long, Sandy Wisecup, Linda K Long, Maxine Green, and Arlene Long, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Linda was loved by many and will be missed very much by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Sat. April 27, 2024, at 1:00 P.M., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1395 SW 9th St., Cedaredge, Colorado, 81413.