Linda Louise Callear (Bouwkamp), 65 of Morely, MI passed away unexpectedly on October 15, 2025. She is preceded in death by her parents Jack and Evelyn Bouwkamp and in laws Ted and Joanne Callear.
Linda is forever in our hearts. Remembered for her great sense of humor, the way she lit up a room, her kind and loving spirit, and her devotion to family and friends.
Linda married the love of her life, Ralph Callear, in 1980. They shared 45 wonderful years together. She enjoyed traveling to their Florida house in the winter, walking trails with her beloved dogs Charlie and Cleveland, pickleball, breaking records at the golf course, boating, and any good card game. Linda was a campfire queen who enjoyed sitting by the campfire and sharing a Long Island with friends and family. She was the “favorite Aunt” for so many and was always there to lend an ear or give a helping hand, no matter the task. She had a large number of friends, large family and an even larger heart. She never met someone that didn’t become her friend.
Words cannot express how much Linda will be missed.
Linda is survived by best friend and loving husband, Ralph Callear; brothers, Jack, Jim, and Joe Bouwkamp; sisters, Karen Usoff, Ruth Gibson, and Deborah Flynn; in-laws, Clark and LeeAnn Callear, Keith Callear, Lynn and Rich Ortiz, and Marsha and Jerry Steele; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and beloved dogs.
Memorial Services will be held at 12pm on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Kindred House Church, 555 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49548; with visitation from 10am-12pm. Services will be livestreamed at the provided link: https://youtu.be/bm9u0VvYjko
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Linda’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Linda Callear or Kindred House Church.
36 Responses
My beautiful friend is in heaven. I so adored and loved you and our friendship. I’m sure you are teaching everyone up there quarter quarter. Love you so much my dear sister friend and I’ll never forget you.
Spirited, fun, loving friend. Will be dearly missed. ❤️
Linda was indeed the type of friend everyone hopes to have in their lifetime, always encouraging and selfless, patient and kind and so quick-witted and fun. I am honored to have been counted among her many friends, even though our time together was suddenly cut short. Love you Linda Louise!!
You will always be remembered my sweet sassy sister-in-law and dearly missed
Meeting Linda years ago at our first camping experience was a total God thing. We made instant connections and have been sharing travel experiences since. She is honest, funny, a true friend, camp fire builder extraordinaire, and made the best Long Island Icetea drinks. She even got me to love them. My heart is broken because I’ll miss her dearly and hearing one of her favorite sayings….’ya…No’!
Love ya Linda!
Linda was a super sister will miss my sister the rest of my life. Big Heart and open mind for everything and anything. So sad for Ralph and both Family’s. Your oldest brother Jack. 💕
Linda always made my day when I’d see her at the courts. She was a kind and hilarious person who brought smiles to everyone. She will be missed.
my sister Linda was my best friend my heart is so broke I taught her how to ride a bike by that IV and I pushed her down the driveway no brakes hard wheels right out into the street I used to read her stories at night while we were growing up she enjoyed fires as much as I did biggest hearted person I ever met if we could only all strive to be as good as her and she met such a wonderful man goodbye Linda always in my heart forever on my mind my heart is broken for Ralph too so sad
Linda, It’s hard to believe you’re gone. The world feels quieter without your laugh — that sharp wit, that quick comeback, that way you could turn any dull moment into a story worth remembering. You were the heartbeat of every room, the spark that always stayed lit.
You had this rare gift — to make people feel important, to make them laugh until their sides hurt, and to remind us that life’s too short to be serious all the time. You were loyal to the bone, the kind of friend everyone hopes to have and few are lucky enough to find.
You may be gone, but your spirit is still the life of the party in all our hearts.
We will miss you immensely.
I met Linda on the pickleball courts. She was a wonderful, funny person who encouraged everyone in pickleball. She will be greatly missed by all.
Linda, I still can’t believe this is true. You truly were right in always saying live life and enjoy every minute of it, because you never know when it’s your time. Thank you for all the laughs both on and off the courts, the lessons on how a beer is not a good beer if it’s not ICE COLD, and for showing us all that a smile can go a long way in changing someone’s day. If we all could be just a little bit like you this world would be a much better place. Until we meet again my friend I will cherish the memories we had here, save me a seat at the table and make sure you send us signs from time to time. Love ya Linda Lu
I will miss you always and think of you often. Still feels like a bad dream. You were just a loving caring sister,aunt,wife. Words cannot express how much we will feel your loss love you Linda Lou
Thanks to Linda for Blessing my long ago best friend Ralph with such a loving marriage and journey! While this is a really tough time, I’ll continue to hold you both in my prayers for peace and comfort. Love you brother!
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks to Linda for Blessing my long ago best friend Ralph with such a loving marriage and journey! While this is a really tough time, I’ll continue to hold you both in my prayers for peace and comfort. Love you brother!
Linda you have no idea how much you will be missed. You had a heart of gold, you were the life of every get-together, you made a wicked margarita and was a true friend.
We are so blessed that we were able to spend time with you this summer and all the memories we will cherish ❤️
Linda you have no idea how much you will be missed. You had a heart of gold, you were the life of every get-together, you made a wicked margarita and was a true friend.
We are so blessed that we were able to spend time with you this summer and all the memories we will cherish ❤️
We will miss you Linda our dear friend and neighbor. Always will remember the good times we shared. Our hearts go out to Ralph. Love you always
I’m so sorry for the passing of my brother’s dear wife Linda. May God continue to watch over Ralph as he carries on from this tragic loss.
Peri and I along with your whole Rolling Rock Family send prayers and love. We are all devastated to hear this. Linda was an amazing lady and loved by all. Love, hugs, and prayers to Ralph and family.
I am blessed to have known Linda and enjoyed our times playing pickleball and sharing many laughs. A beautiful soul who will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to Ralph and family. 🙏🫶
Linda will be greatly missed by all who knew her! I am blessed to have known her, even for a few short years at RHCC, meeting on the pickleball courts. I will forever here her voice when she missed a shot (which wasn’t often), “Oh, Linda Louise!!!”
A beautiful, fun, and sweet friend gone from this world way too soon, but never forgotten.
I always felt Linda’s support, through the years. Never an unkind word, no judgment from her. You will be missed by family and friends alike. All your kindness and love is imprinted on those whose lives you touched. We are keeping your beloved Ralph in our prayers for his peace of mind and heart. Your cousin, Jeanine
Linda we met when I started dating Hack in 2000. I alwats felt like part of the family because of your acceptance. I thank youfir that youwill always be part of my family even though i hadn’t seen much of you in the last yrs this has really hurt my heart you will always be a part of it love you a nd miss you.
Linda we firat met when I staating J started dating Jack in 2000. You always accepted me and made me feel like part of the family. I loved playing golf and many card games with you. You will always be a part of my heart
I remember Linda and Ralph as such a happy couple always together. Our heart goes out to you, Ralph and all of my dear family members and friends at the shocking loss. I had fun times at Aunt Ev and Uncle Jack’s house in Wyoming and many a family gathering like the ones at Silver Lake in Hart, Michigan, Life is not the same without our beautiful cousin Linda’s smiling face around us! Take comfort in the sacred promise ” Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment” -John 5:28,29.
Aunt Linda I can’t believe you are gone. There was still so much left for us to do. You were the best aunt anyone could wish for. Always there with an ear and open heart no matter the case. There are so many unforgettable memories we have had from camping, boating, and even hiking the sand bear dunes all those years ago. The campfires will always shine differently without you here. Thank you for teaching me how to build a fire and love without question. I’ll miss you forever. Until we meet again.
Bruce and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to become Linda ‘s (and Ralph) friend last Winter.
Linda had a beautiful personality, loved her fun, happy spirit and silly ways . She always made us laugh and I’ll never forget her beautiful smile.
She left a mark on so many lives here in Florida including ours.
She will be truly missed and never forgotten Linda was a Gem.
Ralph we are so saddened for you and your Family. Hoping all your fun , happy memories of Linda help you in this difficult time.
Remember the pool parties, Zack (Dobbie) and Heart music. Love you two, greats times.
Sorry for your loss Ralph and family and friends.
Linda a wonderful person.
Dog and Butterflies forever
Tom
We are so saddened by the loss of such a wonderful woman.
Doug and I met Linda and Ralph in late 2022, and from the first day we fell in love with both of them. We became fast friends. Always welcoming with a smile and laughter.
Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to you Ralph and your family.
Michele and Doug
It is so hard to believe Linda is gone. She had such a witty personality & infectious smile that will always be remembered. Ralph and family, we are so sorry for your loss. The memories that have been made can never be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies
Jack and Celeste Santora
I still don’t believe that I will not see Linda again. She was so much fun and a great euchre player. Her personality was infectious. She had a knack for just making you feel happy. We will truly miss her. Love to Ralph and their family.
Linda was one of the first people I met at Rolling Rock… standing in line at the Alva Post Office! I laughed within minutes and she kept me laughing the whole 2.5 years we’ve lived here! Her heart and soul will live on at RRB… love you both Ralph! Our prayers are covering you!
This is just so very sad. Linda, what a friend you were to so many…. We were the lucky ones! You lit up the room, cheered everyone on with your words of encouragement and always had a hug when needed. You were such a great dog mom, too. You will be so missed. Our prayers continue for strength for Ralph and family. Love Doug and Nancy
It’s so shocking and heartbreaking that Linda Lou is gone. I’m so glad she was able to join our ladies pickleball Round Robin on October 9th. I will forever remember all the laughs we shared that night, and really, every time we played. She knew how to put the fun in the game. I will miss her infectious laugh and beautiful smile. Thoughts and prayers for Ralph and family during this unexpected loss. RIP dear friend 😥
We are so sad to hear of Linda’s passing and will always remember her as a kind-hearted friend who was part of our family for many years. We will miss her.
Linda was a very special lady and so honored to have met her and been considered a friend of hers. She was always the happiest, most fun person no matter what we were doing! She included everyone. She shared the same sense of humor as my husband Dave in their choice of inappropriate or in their minds appropriate sayings on t-shirts. She will be missed everywhere around River Hall but I will especially miss her on the pickleballl courts. I will always hear all of her one liners every time I play. Heaven gained an amazing angel and someone who will continue to watch over and shine down on all who loved her.