Lindalie Melba Austin LeBaron Benson

Lindalie Melba Austin was born February 1, 1938 in Provo, Utah to Harold Austin and Melba Riser Austin. She was the second of three sisters.

As a child, Lindalie spent a lot of time with her father, learning beekeeping, training hawks and falcons, rock hunting, and accompanying him on medical house calls. Linda always did well in school and participated in many extracurricular activities. A favorite was being a member of the locally famous Debonettes, a baton twirling group that performed at parades, sporting events, and weddings, as well as with the BYU Marching Band.

Linda graduated from Provo High School and continued her education at Brigham Young University, the University of Oregon, and Northwestern State College in Louisiana, studying medical technology. She eventually gave up finishing her education to fulfil a greater dream…that of becoming a wife and mother.

Linda married David Cheney LeBaron on December 17th, 1959. Because David had suffered kidney illnesses since he was a small child, they knew their time together might be short. In the end, it was only seven years. In that short time, they added four sons to their family and built their dream home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Unfortunately, David's failing kidneys made it necessary in early 1967 for him to have a kidney transplant. While the transplant was successful, David developed pneumonia and passed away in March of 1967. Linda was left a widow at 29 with four young sons ages six and under.

Linda bravely moved forward and eventually began to work as a file clerk and secretary for Farmers' Insurance. A few years later, with the encouragement of her boss, Jim Lundberg, Linda got her insurance agent's license. She would spend the rest of her working life in this occupation.

On July 3, 1974, Linda married Robert Ralph Benson. In 1978, they added Carson Page Benson to Linda's family of four boys and Ralph's six children from his previous marriage.

Linda and Ralph had many shared interests. They spent over 40 years working in the Kiwanis International organization together, with Linda supporting Ralph in his many leadership positions. They were lifelong enthusiastic supporting members of the BYU Cougar Club and always had season tickets for basketball and football games. They also loved to travel.

Linda lived a life of service in her home, her church, and her community. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and the power of answered prayers. She served in many callings, including as Relief Society president and assistant ward clerk, but mostly she got to share her musical talents during her 25 years as a temple organist and over 60 years total of serving as the ward organist. She was well known in her ward for her kindness and service to those around her.

Linda passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in her Orem, Utah home, surrounded by her loving sons, after a valiant two-year battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Myrle Austin Davidson and Monya Austin Adamson, her husbands David and Ralph, and grandsons Chase Benson, Jacob Rowley, and Yale Avery Benson.

Linda is survived by her sons David Quinn LeBaron (Francie), Harold Todd LeBaron (Robyn), Ronald Tracy LeBaron (Erin), Jared Clayton LeBaron (Michelle), and Carson Page Benson (Jessica), as well as stepchildren Valeri Purkiss, Robert Shawn Benson, Jacen Brooks Benson (Annette), Bryn Shepherd, Natalie Benson, and Nathan Wells Benson (Sharalen). She is also survived by LeBaron and Benson nieces and nephews, 35 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Cascade 3rd Ward, 1051 East 200 North, Orem, Utah. Family and friends may visit Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and prior to services at the church on Thursday, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

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