Linda Groh Foertsch Demers

Linda Marie Groh Foertsch Demers, originally of Lenzburg, IL and a 1963 graduate of Marissa Township High School, died of cancer on May 29, 2025, her 80th birthday, attended by her daughters in her home in La Crosse, WI. Like her father, Linda was an avid baseball player growing up (even though it wrecked her knee) and treasured her youth in St. Clair County. She married John Foertsch in November 1965 and received her R.N. degree from Barnes Hospital in St. Louis in 1966, the first pregnant student allowed to graduate from that program. While raising four daughters in Decatur, IL, she worked as an obstetric nurse at St. Mary's and Decatur Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed camping, cycling, and genealogical research passions she shared with her family.
In 1989 Linda moved to Chippewa Falls, WI, where she became a psychiatric nurse at Luther Midelfort in Eau Claire, married Donnell Demers in November 1993, and fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning a horse. In later years, she enjoyed country drives, visiting family, watching baseball and the Tour De France, traveling to Paris, New Brunswick, and anywhere Laura Ingalls Wilder ever lived, playing dominos and mahjong, and doting on her beloved dog Ben.
Linda is predeceased by parents Dorothy and Kenneth Groh and sister Kay (Warren) Trotter, all of Marissa, and her first husband Jack. She is survived by sister Carol Reinhardt-Mayfield (Dave Seib) of Marissa; daughters Kathryn Foertsch of Cornish, ME, Julie Foertsch of Madison, WI, Adrienne (Doug) Logue of Armstrong, IL, and Deanna Foertsch of La Crosse; nieces and nephew Jaqueline and Christine (Michael) Foertsch, Connie (David) Schreiber and Michael Trotter; and former husband Don. She had grand hopes for the futures of her grandchildren Ashlyn (Dylan) Haun, Hollianne and Olivia Logue; Delenn, Kes and Torin Houston; and great-grandson Warren Haun.
Memorials may be made to the Coulee Region Humane Society at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/couleehumane
Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.heilschuessler.com
The visitation will be on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at St Peter's United Church of Christ in Lenzburg, IL from 9:30 to 10:30, with the funeral at 10:30, and the burial of her ashes in the Marissa Cemetery afterwards.