Lynda Kay Hassler of Salina passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 28, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on February 27, 1945, to Harold Miller and Helen (Nealy) Miller in Hope, Kansas.
Lynda attended school at Hope High School, graduating Valedictorian in 1963. From there, she proceeded to Manhattan and became a Wildcat at Kansas State University. She majored in Home Economics and graduated in 1967. She worked her way through college as a secretary for the Dean of Veterinary Medicine. She was proud to be the first one in her extended family to graduate from college.
She grew up on a farm gathering eggs, milking the cows, feeding the chickens and hogs, and working in the fields during harvest. She learned the value of hard work and the art of delayed gratification.
She and her future husband grew up in the New Basel United Church of Christ in Elmo, Kansas, and attended catechism together. Lynda married Randy Hassler on August 27, 1966, in the church where their story began and where they will be buried with their families. They were married for 59 years.
After graduation, the newlyweds moved to Kansas City. Lynda worked as a home economist for the gas company, putting her husband through medical school. She was active in the school’s programs and was the president of the KU Medical School Wives Club.
She brought two sons, Lance and Jason, into the world. She became a stay-at-home mother, nurturing and encouraging their development. She was proud of her sons’ accomplishments, with Lance becoming an architect and Jason becoming an MD. She supported her son’s tennis career and state championships.
Lynda provided steady support while raising her two young boys and keeping her intern husband awake as the family navigated numerous moves to Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, back to Texas, and finally to Florida following internships, flight surgeon school, and residency. Easy job, right?!
Finally, she made it back to Salina, Kansas, in 1979, where she became very active in the community. Lynda was a Boy Scout Den Mother and a member of the Coronado Area Council, where she held numerous board positions. She was a volunteer and supporter of the Smoky Hill River Festival. She was active in her PEO BW chapter, serving many roles, including President, and she served on many tournament committees as a member of the Salina Charities League.
Lynda was a Master Gardener, a talented seamstress and embroiderer, an accomplished cook, and one heck of a golfer.
Lynda loved her family, especially her granddaughters, Eryn, Emalie, Ruby, and Maisy. She later had great-grandchildren, Syer and Dreya. She couldn’t help but love and support the grandkids whom she adored. She attended all their sporting events, plays, recitals, art shows, competitions, and concerts. She wouldn’t miss an event even if she had to drag her husband along.
She was the glue of the family, making holidays memorable with exquisite meals, beautiful decorations, and traditions. Whether it was getting out the fancy china to serve a group of teenagers dinner before their homecoming, indulging her granddaughters with tea parties complete with squeeze cheese and Wheat Thins, or hosting an elegant family wedding in her hearth room, Lynda made her house a home where all were warmly welcomed.
Lynda’s life was full of love and enriched her family. Her life was a beautiful testimony of family and service. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her, and by her husband and partner forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Helen (Nealy) Miller, her brother, Steve Miller, and her son, Lance Hassler.
Lynda is survived by her husband, Randy Hassler and son Jason (Darla) Hassler, her sister, Barbara Morgan (Greg), niece, Heather Kepka, four granddaughters, Eryn (Jared) Thompson, Emalie Hassler, Ruby Hassler, and Maisy Hassler, and two great grandchildren, Syer Randy Thompson and Dreya Cole Thompson.
Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2025, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St., Salina, KS.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E Neal Ave, Salina, KS.
A luncheon will follow the service at the Salina County Club, 2101 E Country Club Rd, Salina, KS.
A private burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials can be made to Boy Scouts of America-Coronado Area Council, 644 S. Ohio St., Salina, KS, or The Jason Hassler Education Fund, care of Ryan Mortuary.