Linda Ruth Hargraves

Linda Ruth Hargraves, born in Los Angeles, California, in 1939, passed away peacefully at 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, after living with dementia in her later years. She faced that season of life with the same quiet endurance and faith that marked the rest of her life. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Linda was the cherished daughter of Weston and Ruth Bott. She was a woman of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, she was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her testimony sustained her throughout her life.
She was the loving mother of four children: Keith, Mark, Robin (who preceded her in death in 2025), and Chris. As a single mother, she did her best to keep her children busy, active, and out of trouble. She encouraged them to embrace the outdoors and the beauty of the natural world, often sending them outside while she enjoyed reading a good book. She never let her work get in the way of giving her sons direction through hard work and responsibility.

Linda lived in Montana for approximately 60 years of her life, and it forever held her heart. She cherished the Bitterroot Valley, loved gazing at the Bitterroot Mountains, and treasured the crisp mountain air. In her earlier years, she found great joy in tending her garden, carefully growing berries and vegetables. Her raspberry bushes were especially dear to her—though her son Chris usually managed to eat most of the raspberries before she could harvest them himself, a memory that still brings a smile.

She had a special fondness for cowboys and cowgirls and loved the spirit of the West. An excellent square dancer, she embraced the music and community that reflected the culture she admired. That Western spirit shaped her home and her parenting. She instilled in her children a respect for hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance, and she was never shy about putting her sons to work.

Her home was filled with thriving indoor plants, especially her beloved African violets and Christmas cacti. She adored standard and miniature poodles and even proudly championed one of her miniature poodles. She enjoyed visiting local garage sales and flea markets, always on the lookout for a small treasure. In the last several decades of her life, she lived simply and humbly, giving however she could where she saw need.

Linda is survived by her three sons; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her younger sister, Karen Baca, and her husband, Eddie Baca.

Burial services will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah.

Her memory will remain in the mountains she loved, the gardens she once tended, and the hearts of all who were blessed to call her mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.