Obituary of Linda Ann Jakpor

Linda Ann Jakpor, 64, of Phoenix Arizona, peacefully passed away on May 23, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with Lupus.  Linda was truly an angel on earth and gave everyone she met an example of living life with grace and dignity.

Linda was born on June 6, 1958, to Donald and Eunice Gandre in Oklahoma City, OK.   As a child, Linda lived in Illinois, Madison, Wisconsin, and Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Linda graduated from Preble High School in Green Bay, WI in 1976.  After high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Linda’s entire career was spent in service to others. After receiving her master's degree Linda worked for Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Michigan, where she focused on youth dealing with substance abuse.  Additionally, she founded the AIDS counseling center for the hospital.  In 1993, Linda moved to Phoenix Arizona, and started working with dialysis patients at Renal Care Group for 13 years. This is the place where Linda met the love of her life, Victor. She then went on to work for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society from 2006-2010.  Linda’s passion for dialysis patients led her back to DaVita, where she was employed until her death.  Throughout Linda’s career, she has touched countless lives, including her patients and her co-workers.

Linda was active and passionate about her hobbies outside of work.  Linda was an avid Green Bay Packer Fan, attending many home games with her father, visiting many NFL stadiums for “away” games, and she proudly displayed her Green Bay Packer Stockholder certificate!  Since her youth, Linda was very active in the Lutheran Church and participated in many social activities at every church she attended.  Linda “found her voice” with the Hand Bell Choir at Mountain View Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed the opportunity to perform for others both inside and outside of the church.  Linda was also an artist, creating beautiful drawings and paintings in the past.  Her current passion included knitting, and using the medium of Microfibers, creating gorgeous pieces that she sold both online and at craft shows.  But Linda’s biggest passion of all was her boys, David, Zachary, and her nephew Christos. Linda was their biggest fan attending just about every event the boys participated in. She loved watching her boys play soccer, football, tennis, rugby, and band.

Linda is survived by her husband Victor Jakpor, her sons David and Zachary Jakpor, her parents Donald and Eunice Gandre, her sister Donna Gandre, her sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Chris Ouzounis, her nephew Christos Ouzounis and her lifelong friend Jane Zilles.  We would also like to acknowledge Hope Pauly, Leah Weiler, and Chandler Regional Hospital ICU staff for their love and support.

Services will be held at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona on June 10, 2023, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lupus Foundation of America, The National Kidney Foundation, and Mountain View Lutheran Church Bell Choir.