Linda Lou Fennema

It is with deep pain that we announce the passing of Linda Lou Fennema. Linda (nee Bryant) Fennema was born on December 27th, 1956 to Merlin and Beverly Bryant in Kenmare, North Dakota.  She found peace from her struggle with kidney disease on April 16th, 2024 at home with her loving husband and children.  The fourth of eight children she was a happy child and loved to play.  Linda was not afraid of much as a youngster and in fact would frighten boys by hiding a snake in her long brown hair! Growing up on a farm Linda learned the value of hard work at a young age and that work ethic stayed with her throughout her life.  However, she wasn’t all work and no play!  She also enjoyed playing with her siblings and friends. Some of her favorite games included baseball, pinochle, canasta and snow forts.  Other activities she enjoyed were horseback riding, cross-stitch, puzzles, gardening, baking, reading and being read to by her beloved husband, Jon.

Linda was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on November 26th, 1972.  Her love for people and the ministry moved her to start pioneering around 18 years of age when she moved to WI and was able to provide for herself by cleaning. Linda met Jon for the first time at a convention in 1971. They later fell in love and were married on June 26th, 1976. Whenever their circumstances allowed, Jon and Linda pioneered.  They had three children, Sarah, Derek and Joshua.  Jon and Linda enjoyed showing hospitality to pioneers and other full time servants of Jehovah.  This helped to instill in their children a love for Jehovah, his organization and the ministry. Because of Linda’s love for Jehovah and people, she had many dear Bible students.  Obstacles did not hold her back from endeavoring to help people learn about her God and friend.  One of her students wanted to study at 6am on Saturday mornings, and Linda was willing to make that sacrifice.   As her disease started to sap her strength, Linda was not able to do as much as she wanted to in Jehovah’s service, but she still faithfully wrote letters once or twice a week as her strength allowed.  She always gave her best to Jehovah and worked hard to support her friends and family spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Everyone who met her commented on her sweet smile and warm disposition! She was truly loved!

Linda was preceded in death by her father (Merlin), mother (Beverly) and stepmother (Marily), mother-in-law (Stella), brother (Jerry) and niece (Marisa). She is survived by her best friend and husband of 47 years, Jonathan Fennema.  Her children, Sarah, Derek and Joshua.  Her grandson Isaiah Fennema, spiritual granddaughter, Kristen Sage and granddaughter Lexie Sutton.  Her siblings, Tim (Gail) Bryant, Bill (Lori) Bryant, Cheryl (Kent) Alkire, Kevin (Darla) Bryant, Larry (Kathy) Bryant, Jeff (Sandy) Bryant.  She is also survived by her six step siblings, numerous nephews and nieces and many, many friends and other relatives.  We would like to thank her dialysis team, Irina, Erick, Kim, Sandy, Michelle, Nikki and Dr. Attray for their continuing care and support, they were a joy to work with.  And Lilibeth Ayaba who was her hospice nurse the last two weeks of her life and provided much direction and comfort. We would also like to thank all of the dear friends who visited and called Linda, sent food, cards and flowers in her final days.   We’re sorry we weren’t able to thank each of you personally, but these kind thoughts were truly appreciated!  Though we feel such deep emotional pain now, we are soothed by the promises that our God Jehovah gives us through his holy word the Bible.  Promises that our beloved Linda believed with all her heart.  She now sleeps in Jehovah’s memory, soon to be resurrected to life again.  She looked forward to a perfect, healthy life on a paradise earth.  We long for the time when she will be with us again and bake her favorite cinnamon rolls or awesome chocolate cake at a reunion dinner that includes all of her loved ones.  Those who will survive these last days and all those that will be resurrected back to life!

Memorial Service:
Saturday, May 4th, 2024. 2pm Pacific Time
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
A-Side (on the Left)
7709 Walerga Rd
Antelope, CA 95843
Also available on Zoom:

Meeting ID: 806-829-6806

Meeting Code: BO7709

What Did She See in Me?

When I first met my Lindy
Her smile capture me
It wasn’t bold or audacious
Just Pretty as could be

And as I got to know her
The truth was plain to see
She was a pearl of priceless worth
What would she see in me?

No -- she wasn’t perfect
That’s not within our grasp
But she had the type of loyal love
That can make a marriage last

It took a while to win her
How I did I’ll never know
She kissed me and grabbed me by the heart
And never let it go

My family wasn’t sure we’d last
When younger I was wild
At times a hint of a spiritual man
But more often a spoiled child

Though at times I’d disappoint her
She never abandoned me
I fell in love with her everyday
But what did she see in me

I know Jehovah smiled on me
When she agreed to be my wife
She was a rock that anchored me
And gave meaning to my life

She loved people and Jehovah
Her manner always kind
She was successful when she taught because
She reached the heart not just the mind

SO our family never suffered
Her best was what we’d get
She put our wants before her own
And never showed regret

We loved to tease each other
And yes – we had some fights!
But we always said a prayer together
And made our peace each night

Sadly her body failed her
Yet her faith remained so strong
I’m still humbled by her courage
Though I’ve know her for so long

I know I’m not the only one
Who will miss her everyday
She never realized she was beautiful
She just didn’t think that way

We prayed that if it’s God’s will
When she’s called back to life
We could reach perfection together
As a husband and a wife

I know she’s safe in Jehovah’s arms
And that really strengthens me
She was worth far more than I deserved
What did she see in me?