Linda Sue "Hostetter" Long February 21, 1945 ~ April 15, 2024

Linda Sue Long passed away on her beloved Redlands Mesa Ranch in Colorado on April 15, 2024 at the age of 79. Linda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Linda Sue Hostetter was born February 21, 1945 in Gilman, CO, daughter of Robert J. and Dorothy L. (Nimon) Hostetter. She passed away at her home in Hotchkiss, CO on April 15, 2024 with her children by her side.
Linda spent her childhood in Colorado, raised on the family ranch near Radium up Sheephorn Creek with her three siblings Elaine, Bobby and Becki.
As a teenager, Linda, while attending a dance at State Bridge near McCoy, CO met a handsome cowboy from Oak Creek. After a brief courtship, Linda married Nelson J “Rocky” Long on January 13, 1961.
Their life was full of adventures, living in various places, including Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Utah.
Linda and Rocky raised four children together: Michael Jess, Sheila Jo, Gary Allen and Celeste Elaine. The marriage lasted for over 60 years until Rocky passed away in 2021.
In 1976, Linda and Rocky settled in Monticello, UT. With the children growing older, she decided to go to work as a waitress and cook at a local cafe.
She eventually worked at most of the town’s restaurants at the time and she learned to cook for large crowds, bake many desserts, pastries, and perfect her famous hot roll recipe.
It became her passion: serving meals at family gatherings, church events, and other special events, even catering weddings and reunions. She became known for her hot rolls and cake decorating.
Linda was an exceptional cook and she will be remembered for her baking and her desire to share it with others. She was happiest in her kitchen or searching for a new recipe from her large collection of cookbooks.
While living in Utah, Linda became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was very dedicated to her church and strong in her faith which gave her joy and carried her through difficult times and the loss of loved ones. She treasured her callings, especially with the children and cooking for church functions.
In 1993, Linda and Rocky relocated to Hotchkiss, CO on Redlands Mesa to help her aging father with his ranch. When Walmart opened a store in Delta she went to work, she retired in 2022.
On most spring, summer, and fall evenings, you could find Linda with her favorite irrigating shovel (it was her dad’s). If you looked, you would see her with the shovel on her shoulder headed across the green fields.
Even this spring, Linda was still tending and feeding the cows, anticipating the new calves that would be born. Linda passed away showing her family and friends the beauty of her strength, showing grace, and love, and giving all she had with a smile. She worked hard all her life, may she rest in peace.
She is preceeded in death by her husband Nelson J “Rocky” Long, son Gary Allen Long, parents Robert “Bob” and Dorothy L. Hostetter, in-laws John and Edith “Toots” Long, grandparents George and Minnie Nimon, and Allen and Suzetta Hostetter, sister Elaine Craig, brother Robert J “Bobby” (Candy) Hostetter Jr., and infant baby brother George A Hostetter.
She is survived by her son Mike Long, daughters Sheila Hoffman and Celeste (Drew) Avery, 16 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and sister Becki Graves.
Linda was loved by many and will be missed very much by her family and friends.