Linda VandenHouten

Linda VandenHouten ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Epting Funeral Home - Bentonville on Mar. 10, 2026.Linda VandenHouten, age 76, passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2026, surrounded by two of her precious granddaughters.Linda was a devoted mother and grandmother whose family meant everything to her. She found her greatest joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always offering love, encouragement, and a warm presence to those around her.Linda was a self-taught artist with many creative abilities. She especially enjoyed sketching and had a natural artistic talent that she expressed in many ways. She also loved gardening and sewing, finding peace and fulfillment in creating and nurturing beauty in the world around her. Her creativity, patience, and gentle spirit touched the lives of many.Those who knew Linda will remember her kindness, her willingness to listen, and her ability to make others feel welcome and valued. Her compassion, strength, and creativity left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Peter Anthony Mercado and Bertha Knosp.She is survived by her children, Samantha Nieders (Jim), Lydia Brown (Don), and Tony VandenHouten; her grandchildren, Corey Mehl (Crystal), Ashley West (Jordan), Kristyn Brantley (Chris), and Sarah Nelson (Dakotah); her great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Preston, and Mayse; her significant other, Jerry Merchant; and seven siblings.Family and friends are invited to celebrate Linda's life on March 28, 2026, at 11am, at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, 716 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203."We love you to the moon and back."To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.