Linda Sue Maggard

Linda Sue Maggard, 62, of Olathe, passed away on January 31, 2025 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

 She was born in Emporia, KS on October 8, 1962 to Jim and Mary Thomas. She was the youngest of four children, and their only girl. Her family moved to Olathe, KS in 1967 when her dad accepted a teaching position at Ridgeview Elementary. She would continue to live in Olathe for the remainder of her life. She graduated from Olathe High School in 1980 and from Emporia State University in 1984 with a BS in elementary education. She went on to earn her Master’s in Education from MNU in 1992. 

 Linda taught in the Olathe Public School District for 33 years until she retired in 2017 from Briarwood Elementary. She taught roughly half of those years in 1st grade, and the other half in kindergarten. She truly had a way with her kids, making them all feel special regardless of their abilities. Over her tenure, it was amazing the number of former students who would frequently return to say hi, catch up, or simply get a legendary Mrs. Maggard hug. She inspired many students to pursue and excel in the education field. She put many parents at ease letting them know that their little one would be well loved in her classroom. She touched countless lives throughout her career. She made lifelong friendships with many of her teaching colleagues. They were always there to love and support her throughout her life, especially over the past 9 months while she battled her illness.

 After retiring from teaching, she worked part-time for the past 7+ years for Olathe Medical Services (now KU Med) in their outpatient rehabilitation clinics. She made so many new friends and cherished the relationships. Linda enjoyed working in the rehabilitation field, extending her radiant joy and love to many others who needed her influence. Linda was a representation of living a servant-hearted life. 

 On December 14th, 1990, she married Robert "Rob" W. Maggard, and they have made Olathe home for the past 34 years. They were blessed with two sons, Zachary Thomas and Alex William. She was their biggest cheerleader over the years, never missing a ballgame or a school event. She was so proud of them and the men they have become. They in turn have been her biggest cheerleaders over the past nine months as she battled health issues. They were always there for her when she needed them. 

 The light of her life was her only grandchild, Millie May. Words cannot describe what she meant to Linda, and she referred to Millie May as “Mimi’s Sunshine.” Linda was over the moon crazy about Millie May, and she adored everything about her. She was Mimi’s #1 fan as she courageously fought her illness. Linda was also overjoyed recently when she found out that she has two grandbabies on the way. The family has comfort in knowing that her grandbabies will have another guardian angel looking over them from heaven. 

 Linda was a founding member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church and a member of their women’s group. In her spare time, she loved reading, gardening, and spending time at the lake. She had a whole other family of friends that she enjoyed seeing every summer at the lake. She will be missed greatly when lake season returns this summer.

 Linda is survived by her loving husband, Rob, her children and their spouses Zach (Tiffany) Maggard, Alex (Megan) Maggard, her granddaughter, Millie May, brothers Jerry (Colleen) Thomas, John “Rusty” (Colleen) Thomas, her stepmother Gertie Thomas Gould, and many nieces and nephews. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Mary (Guy) Thomas, and her brother Danny Thomas. 

 The rosary will be prayed at 5pm on Wednesday, Feb 5th at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Visitation will immediately follow from 5:30-8pm. Funeral mass will be at 10am on Thursday, Feb 6th at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Burial immediately following the mass at Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery in Olathe. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. John Paul II Catholic Church building fund, St. John Paul II Catholic Church building fund, or the Olathe Public Schools Foundation, https://olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org/content/donate-now .

 To share a memory of Linda, or to leave a special message for the family, visit the guestbook below.