October 20, 1946 – April 28, 2026

Linda Kierzkoski Pelkola, 79, of Kuna, Idaho, passed away on April 28, 2026, at 10:45 p.m. in Meridian, Idaho, after complications from a recent illness, alongside underlying health conditions.

Linda was born on October 20, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to George Kierzkowski and Ellen (Lloyd) Kierzkowski. She was raised in Bountiful and Provo, Utah, and graduated from Provo High School in 1964. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Linda lived a full and resilient life, shaped by loyalty, honesty, and strength. She was deeply caring and gave her whole heart to the people around her. Those who knew her best saw not only her warmth, but also her quiet determination to keep moving forward, no matter what she faced.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Pelkola of Kuna, Idaho; her children, Lisa (Paul) Redding of Boise, Idaho, James C. Larsen of Oregon, and JR (Tabrina) Pelkola of Seattle, Washington; her grandchildren, Jeremy Lawrence, R. James Larsen, Rachel Hamilton, and Milo Pelkola; and her great-grandchildren, Clint Lawrence, Candace Cole, and Aurora Lott. She is also survived by her brother, Todd Andersen of Provo, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In her early years, Linda was active and adventurous. She enjoyed horseback riding, bowling, volleyball, golf, skiing, and ballet. She carried that same energy into the rest of her life, along with a love for travel, especially Hawaii, and a lifelong enjoyment of jigsaw puzzles.

She was a dedicated and hardworking waitress in her early adulthood before making a bold midlife change to pursue cosmetology. As a hairstylist, she built lasting relationships with her clients, many of whom became like family. She went on to own and operate two salons, New Beginnings in Meridian and The Hairport in Boise.

Linda had a deep love for her pets, especially her Shih Tzus, who were like her children. She was also a devoted fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and Boise State Broncos. She enjoyed time at the casino playing slot machines and was proud of the effort it took to quit smoking in 1991.

Linda’s life was not without hardship. She endured an abusive relationship earlier in life, but her resilience defined her more than those experiences. She chose to move forward, to build a life filled with connection, independence, and care for others. That strength left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to share their interest with the family to receive details once arrangements are finalized.

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