Linda Jean Bass -Smith Tillma

Linda Jean Bass (formerly Smith & Tillma), 63 of Winona, died on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at her home.Linda was born in Slayton, MN on August 1, 1951 to Lewis "Luke" and Evelyn (Bremer) Bass. She was the oldest of three; her two brothers are Craig (Roxanne) Bass of South Dakota and Bradley (Laura) Bass of Ohio.Linda graduated from Castlewood High School in Castlewood, SD and Northwest Flight Attendant Training in Minneapolis. She was employed with Fiberite/ICI Cytec for 10 years. She left Cytec to begin her aviation career. As a single mom, "Freckles" married Ronald Smith "MN Roper". Both were members of the RC Channel Bleeders Club.Linda enjoyed a career with Northwest/Delta Airlines for 10 years as a Detroit based flight attendant, international Purser flight attendant, instructor and inflight supervisor. Following early retirement from the airlines, Linda was maintenance at Winona Arms and later cleaned homes in Winona.She was active at St. Mary's Parish and in community events.Linda enjoyed visiting the homebound, meeting people from around the world and USA, traveling, playing piano, church choir, theater and studying the Bible. Linda had the voice of an angel and used to solo in weddings and bands.Linda has 2 children from her former marriage, Timothy G. Tillma, Sioux Falls, SD and LeAnn Marie (Tillma) Conrad (William "Bill" R. Van Benschoten) Conrad, Winona and step-grandson, William Z. Van Benschoten, Fountain City.Services to remember Linda will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview with the Reverend Jim Berning officiating. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be led at 1:45 p.m. by the Serra Club of Winona. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until the time of the rosary. She will be buried next to her parents in Castlewood Cemetery in Castlewood, SD. Linda has requested memorials to the Winona Area Humane Society and the American Lung Association.Please share a memory of Linda and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.