Linda Althouse

Linda Kay Althouse, age 80, long-time resident of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025. Linda was born September 19, 1944 in Toledo, Ohio. She was the only child of Mary Patricia (nee Smart) and David George Althouse. She graduated from Libby High School (Toledo, Ohio), attended Bowling Green University (Ohio), and earned her Paralegal Certificate from Sonoma State College (California).

Linda enjoyed a career with United Airlines that spanned 39 years. She began as an Airline Stewardess in 1964, and by her retirement in 2003 she was a purser on international flights that took her to places such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, and Paris. During her career with United Airlines, Linda operated out of Detroit, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; and San Francisco, California. She lived in Detroit, Michigan; Conifer, Colorado; Napa Valley, California; and Grants Pass, Oregon. Although Linda chose not to marry, she maintained life-long close friendships and connections with people in the communities in which she resided.

While residing in Napa Valley Linda became active in the sport of hot air ballooning. For 20 years she was a hot air balloon pilot and chase crew member. Her involvement culminated in owning and operating her own Hot Air Balloon. Upon her move to Grants Pass, Linda owned and managed a number of rental homes.

Linda was a seasoned world-traveler. She hiked, backpacked, and camped all across the globe, making friends wherever she went. She was a talented and prolific photographer, winning many awards in recognition of her photographs.

Her passion was the preservation of the environment, wildlife conservation, and women's equality. She was an avid supporter and volunteer for these issues. At United Airlines, she was an activist for the advancement of women pilots and led efforts to elevate the professional status of flight attendants. While living in Napa Valley she devoted 10 years of service as a volunteer firefighter fighting wildfires. While living in Grants Pass, she spent many years as a volunteer at Wildlife Images working with raptors and other wild animals undergoing rehabilitation. Most recently she was a volunteer for the Josephine County Food Bank.

Linda supported many charitable organizations. Contributions in her honor would be welcomed. These charities include: Josephine Community Library Foundation; Josephine County Food Bank; Josephine County Animal Shelter ; Southern Oregon PBS; The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California; World Wildlife Fund; and Doctors Without Borders.

Linda is survived by friends Kathy Bishop, Ayesha Faber, Martha Anderson of Grants Pass; Sue Tempest of Trukee, California; Sheila and Carlos Fox of Conifer, Colorado; childhood friends from grade school in Toledo, Ohio: Carzel (Felker) Alvarez; Cookie (Pund) Hazard; Gail (Prickett) Shell; Sue (Holst) Gratop; Sally (Fournier) Buttari; as well many other friends across the United States. Linda is also survived by cousins whose families originated from Toledo, Ohio: Jim Althouse; Candy (Althouse) Kothmann; Ben Althouse; Lydia (Althouse) Wojciechowski; Rebekah (Althouse) Picard; Barbara Althouse; Bruce Althouse; Kevin Smith; Sandy Althouse; Judy (Althouse) Diaz; Brian Althouse; Jill (Raczkowski) Overfield and Andrew Raczkowski