Linda C Machalicek

The family of Linda “Lynn” Carol Machalicek is heartbroken to share that she passed away at the age of 78 years on August 27, 2025 in an Austin, Texas hospital following complications during a planned surgery in Waco, Texas. Linda and her husband, Jimmy, lived in Rosenthal, Texas where they made their home for the past 40 years.

Truly inseparable in life, after meeting in high school, Linda and Jimmy shared over 6 decades of friendship, love, and companionship. Following their marriage in 1965, they raised two daughters. Linda took her role of mama as a serious spiritual duty and was a deeply engaged and present parent throughout their lives. She and Jimmy never missed a single event or special occasion in their childhood no matter how far away. Through the present day, Linda was always quick to offer a helping hand or a listening ear when either of her daughters needed anything and she was the rare parent who succeeded in both unconditionally loving them just as they were and when the time was right urging them to spread their wings to achieve their goals. Her family was the center of her universe, but others were lucky to know her because she also cared for their children. When her daughters were young, she was a religious education teacher at St. Mary Church of the Assumption and when they were older Linda earned her Associates degree in Child Development from McLennan Community College in 1992. Between 1992 and 2002, Linda then directed several local childcare centers and was the classroom teacher for a private kindergarten. She was a kind, capable and generous manager appreciated by her staff and the families her centers served. She would often spend time at home creating activities and curriculum for the children from everyday items like egg cartons, buttons, empty boxes and the magic of lamination. In retirement, she greatly enjoyed the opportunity to be a Nana and to shower her grandchildren and later great grandchildren with love. She stood at the ready with a living room full of developmentally appropriate toys and books, a rocking chair, cuddles, and nursery rhymes. She also attended all the activities she could from Future Farmers of America (FHA) to gymnastics to birthday parties to school clothes shopping to Disney World trips. She leaves behind many who know what it feels like to have her undivided attention, interest and care.

Linda was known for her mental strength, her sense of humor, her kindness, selflessness and generosity of spirit, and the persistence she demonstrated to achieve whatever she set her mind to. She overcame everyday challenges and crisis using a healthy dose of creativity, her belief in God, and impressive bursts of hummingbird energy. To know Lynn/Mama/Nana was to love her. In her younger years, Linda was one of the first on the dance floor when she heard a song she liked and as she circled the dance floor, she would grab reluctant family members on the sideline with a smile and twinkle in her eyes to pull them into the mix. Her legacy will live on in the actions of her family who learned best from her how to fully love, how to be present with others, when to work hard, and when to have some fun. She taught us all how to dance lightly with life.

She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Machalicek, daughter Buffy Nehring and husband Matt Nehring, daughter Wendy Machalicek and husband Micah Klatt, granddaughters Keeli Tawney and Juniper Klatt, grandson Kaleb Nehring and his wife Chelbie Nehring, great grandchildren Karter and Sophie Nehring, Teigan Tawney, Asher Roberts, her sister, Louise Robinson and her husband Roy Robinson, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Beatrice and John Tanksley, her sister Marty Brown and brother-in-law David Brown, and brother John B. “Bubba” Tanksley.

A visitation will be held at Pecan Grove Funeral Home in Robinson, Texas on Wednesday September 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. with memorial service to follow at 11 a.m.