Linda Ann Manderino (neé Heller) passed away on October 10, 2024 in El Dorado, KS.

Born in Washington, DC, to John and Roma Beth (Kelly) Heller of Topeka, KS, the love of travel was instilled in her at birth. After graduating Topeka HS in 1961, she attended the University of Kansas and St. John's School of Hair Styling, where she was wooed by fellow schoolmate, Jerry Manderino. They were married in 1965, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska for Jerry's period of service in the Air Force. There, she fell in love with king crab legs, the Pacific Ocean, and the Northern Lights, and the couple had their first child, Michael. They moved to Topeka in 1969, where they had their daughter, Cari. Linda became board certified in medical technology in 1983. She worked as a medical technician for private and eventually conglomerate practices, and by the early 90s, life had brought the family to El Dorado, where they raised their granddaughter, Rea. Always ready for an excuse to travel, she routinely visited her sisters in California and Texas and eagerly treated her family to trips to Disneyland. Along her journey in life, Linda was passionate about adding new flowers to her ever-expanding garden, baking chocolate treats, watching the Kansas City Chiefs, and collecting music boxes. She enjoyed driving through the Flint Hills, reading murder mysteries, sneaking bananas into the house, and spending time with her family, friends, and neighbors.

She is preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and Jennie Heller, her youngest sister.

She is survived by her sisters, Nan Heller (Robert Gunn) of Pacific Grove, CA and Jane Zimont (Rick) of Trinity, TX; children, Mike Manderino (Jenny) of Wichita and Cari Clayton of El Dorado; grandchildren Rea Manderino (Steven Waner) of Northern Virginia, Ronnie Clayton, Jackson Clayton, Savana Larrison, and Annika Krehbiel (Oliver).

Memorial services to be held on November 2, 2024, 11 AM, at Trinity United Methodist Church, El Dorado, KS.

Linda was a frequent supporter of Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, the Special Olympics, and charities focused on animal rescue and ocean conservation. In lieu of flowers, her family asks condolences be made as donations to any of the above organizations and further consideration for the Bradford Memorial Public Library of El Dorado and the Kansas Nature Conservancy.