Linda Hawk Obituary

Linda Diana (Bertsch) Hawk, 79, of Olathe, KS, passed away in her sleep on August 1, 2025.

She was born on December 8, 1945, to Donald M. and Bonnie B. (Clark) Bertsch in Clay Center, KS.

One of her favorite childhood memories was going to grandma and grandpas for Sunday dinner, whether it was paternal grandparents, Herman and Bessie Bertsch or maternal grandparents, Will and Pearl Clark. She had great fun playing with lots of cousins, even though she sometimes had to be rescued by grandpa after being tied to a tree by the older cousins.

She attended grade school and high school in Clay Center, KS. Following graduation in 1963, she worked for a year at Farrell Library at Kansas State University (KSU). She then attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University) and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught third grade at Abbott School in Kansas City, KS, for one year.

During that year she met and married Mike Hawk, who was then an intern engineer at Black and Veatch. Linda taught fourth and sixth grades at Washington School in Junction City while Mike completed his studies at KSU. They then moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where Mike served in the Air Force. Her life was changed dramatically when she suffered a spinal fracture in an automobile accident in 1972. Mike was transferred to McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS, in 1975. Linda worked as a volunteer at EB Allen Hospital assisting in management of volunteers.

While in Wichita, they adopted a four-month old baby, David Michael Hawk, who quickly became the joy of their lives. In 1980, Mike left the Air Force, and the family moved to Emporia, KS. Linda began work on a master’s degree in rehabilitation counselling. Following completion of studies in 1985, the family moved to Wichita, KS, where Linda assumed the position of Job Placement Coordinator. Linda resigned that position in 1986 to focus on being a full-time Mom. They lived there until 2013 when Mike was transferred to St. Louis. Mike retired in 2019. They moved to an Olathe nursing home in 2022. They lived there until Linda’s passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her husband, Mike; son David, grandsons, Hallsten and Hiatt; sisters, Pamela Sanneman (Donn) and Sheree Dockins (Russel); several cousins, nephews, and nieces. She is also survived by her aunt and uncle, LaDonna and Duane Lippe.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Missions program at Crossroads Baptist Church, 11441 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206 or may be sent to the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.