In Loving Memory of
Linda Michelle Lewman Wilcox
February 2, 1970 – December 18, 2021
With heartfelt sadness, we share the passing of Linda Michelle Lewman Wilcox, who left this life on December 18, 2021, at her home in the Willow Creek area of Vale, Oregon. Born on February 2, 1970, in Caldwell, Idaho, Linda lived a life filled with love, resilience, and deep connection to the land and animals she cherished.
Linda’s biological parents were Brenda Lewman Olsen and Larry Wayne Maples, but she was lovingly raised by Balie and Zilliah Lewman—her true Mom and Dad—from Parma, Idaho. Her childhood was spent adventuring in the Owyhee Mountains, rock hunting, and gathering firewood alongside her parents and their dear friends, the Schultz family.
A graduate of Parma High School in 1988, Linda went on to attend Treasure Valley Community College, earning a Business Certificate. But her true education came through the life she built—an authentic, hands-on journey of modern pioneer spirit.
Linda married Andy Wilcox on November 20, 2006, in Vale, Oregon. It was on their farm that she flourished, embracing a life she loved—raising chickens, pigs, turkeys, and making butter and homemade ice cream. She believed in feeding her family the right way, from the ground up, with love and grit. Linda once joked about her gardening skills:
“You have to eat the chickens in order to taste the garden, because they ate all of my plants.”
Her bond with animals mirrored the love she shared with her late father. Linda’s backyard was a joyful chorus of goats, ducks, chickens, milk cows, and turkeys—a living version of Old MacDonald’s Farm. She was proud of her 35-pound holiday turkeys and hens that kept the neighborhood stocked with fresh eggs. She played an active role in every part of farm life, from cattle work to swathing and baling hay.
But of all her joys, her greatest love was for her two sons, J.J. (James) Franks and Robbie Wilcox—they were the center of her world, outshining every other passion.
Linda faced her final battle with cancer with incredible courage and tenacity, though the toll was immense. Her body gave out, but her spirit never did. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, strength, and honest, humble living.
She is survived by her:
— Husband: Andy Wilcox
— Sons: J.J. Franks and Robbie Wilcox
— Half-sisters: Brandi Cox, Misti Palmer, Shilo Noyes
— Brother: Balie “Bim” Lewman
— Uncles: Steve Maples and Russell Maples
— Aunt: Carolyn Brafield
— Biological parents: Brenda Lewman Olsen and Larry Wayne Maples
— Numerous nieces and nephews*
She was preceded in death by her parents Balie and Zilliah Lewman, her uncles Bill and Gary Maples, sister-in-law Linda Lewman, beloved cousin Johnnie Maples, and all of her cherished pets.
Final Resting Place
Linda will be cremated and laid to rest at Roswell Cemetery in Parma, Idaho, beside her loving parents, Balie and Zilliah Lewman.
Celebration of Life
📍 St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Hall – Vale, Oregon
🕛 Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 12:00 PM
🍽 Dinner to follow
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Linda’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Lienkaemper Chapel, Vale
“If there ever was a modern-day pioneer woman, that would be Linda.”
She will be missed deeply, remembered always, and honored forever.
