Linda Kay Martin

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Linda Kay Miner, age 62, passed away with her daughter, Onikalin, alongside her near Chico Hot Springs, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 in Pray, Montana.

From the time she was born July 3, 1962, in Bozeman, Montana to her death, she was surrounded by people that loved and appreciated her. Linda was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privileged of knowing her. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Her passing has left a void in the heart of her family, friends and many more whose lives were touched by her. We ask that you remember her not for the way her life ended, however for the way it was lived. 

Her father was Jerry Martin, an engineer in Torrance, California. Her mother, Regina Nead, was a homemaker, a.k.a. “The family manager,” in Carson, California. Linda attended 232nd Place, Stephen M. White and Carson High School in Carson, California. She graduated in 1980. Linda started trade school in 1983 in Inglewood, California at Bridge Academy. She attended there for two years. She received a certificate of accomplishment for executive secretary. After obtaining her certificate, Linda was recruited by Merritt Mortgage, Gardena, California. She worked for Merritt for 23 years and then retired her position as a loan processor and underwriter.

 In 1987 recently single and ready to mingle, with a nudge from her little sis, Linda decided to go out with the “Bobbsey Twins,” to an ascot racetrack. This is where a young man from the past became her present. She encountered a brief moment with Michael Keith Miner. This encounter turned into courting Linda for the next year and a half. He knew she was the one and did not hesitate. Marriage vows were exchanged on December 10, 1988 in a chapel in Torrance, California. During the same time, Linda and Mike moved into their first home in Carson, California, where they prepared themselves to become parents. Onikalin Mitzutaki Miner was born, March 28, 1989, however, not until the ladies dropped the Lemon Meringue Pie. 

Linda liked to stay busy. She dabbled in many types of crafts. Her love was bowling, painting, and gardening. She was proud of her persimmon tree and shared many fruitful seasons. Linda won blue ribbons with her artwork, a favorite piece was a fairy. Linda once joked, “My bowling skills are like a bad joke, they always leave me in splits!” However, like everything she touched, she got better and better in time and became a pro once on the team in Livingston. 

Linda had Kendal Miner on May 11, 1993. She had her hands full with a newborn. At this time Onika was diagnosed disabled. Even with setbacks, Linda balanced her career, motherhood, and being a wife. Family was her first priority, which led Linda and children moving to Montana in 2008. The next six years they made “Bare Your Ass Ranch” their home. Linda loved the outdoors and helping her father Jerry with special projects on the property. Together, they built a large addition to their home, the family room. Most of her creative time with her father was then shared in that room. If she wasn’t fixing fence, mowing the lawn or bailing hay for horses, she balanced her time between her two children: Onika making sticker art with Winnie the Pooh and Kendal with school events and track. 

At a track event during baseball season Linda had connected with an umpire, George Betti. They enjoyed many nights dancing at local bars while George courted Linda. They shared many life values, the 3 F’s: “Faith, Family and Friends.” George and Linda purchased a home together in November 2014. They entertained themselves with Sunday football spatting over who was the better team. They both agreed on the Patriots. Family gathered at their home for a ceremony of matrimony on June 23, 2018. They explored life together for the next six years and parted ways on mutual terms.

In late July 2024, Linda started dating David Snetzinger of Billings. They shared the love for outdoors and spent the night gazing into the stars over a campfire making s’mores and grilling their catch of the day from the nearby stream. Though the romance was brief, Linda fell head over heels and so did he. An engagement and marriage in the near future was being planned. To our misfortune David’s life was taken by a tragic accident, which left Linda devastated.

Linda was proceeded in death by her father, Jerry, and daughter, Onikalin. She is survived by her son, Kendal Keith Miner, and three grandsons, Kobe, Jordan and Reign.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Paradise Valley Community Church beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Should one feel inclined to help offset funeral expenses, please contact Franzen-Davis Funeral Home at 406-222-2531 or visit in person at 118 N. 3rd St., Livingston.

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