Linda Marie Hammerberg, 70

Linda Marie Hammerberg, 70, passed away at her home in Kalispell on the morning of Sept. 26, 2020. Linda was a fighter who previously survived breast cancer, a stroke and a heart attack, but finally succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer. Her loving husband Doug Hammerberg and daughter Samantha were by her side during the time of her peaceful passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Ruby (Patrick) Eger of Sacramento, California. Linda graduated from Los Gatos High School in California in 1968. She served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972 and was discharged from Forth MacArthur, California.

She was previously married to Salvatore Giarmo of Monroe, Michigan, in 1977. Linda gave life and is survived by her three loving children, Jason Giarmo, Shawn Giarmo, and Santa Samantha Giarmo. While raising her young children, Linda attended college full time and earned a nursing degree from Monroe Community College in 1986 with summa cum laude honors. She was a practicing nurse at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe from 1986 to 1998 until moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then Cornwall, England, where she ended her career.

In 1999 Linda met her soul mate, Doug Hammerberg, of Kalispell. She moved to Montana shortly after and then married Doug on Nov. 22, 2000.

For 21 years Linda and Doug explored the back roads of Western Montana together, enjoying special places like Red Meadow Lake, Glacier National Park, Choteau and the Rocky Mountain Front, Thompson River, the Yaak, the Tetons and Yellowstone Park. She also enjoyed cruises on the St. Joe and Lake Coeur d'Alene.

She loved the sound of elk bugling in the autumn mist, geese winging their way south, the colors of autumn, the backyard deer and feeding birds each winter, and hunting Indian paintbrushes and orchids. She understood the magical songs of the waterfalls and ocean's waves.

For 20 years she was involved in medieval re-enactments, traveling to many states to partake in festivals and ceremonies. She was well known for her culinary skills, recreating feasts for the time period, sword fighting and archery skills. Sitting around the campfire, she was well known to bedevil and jest others under stars.

While under the stars she loved writing poetry. “Grab a star, hold on tight for in its infinite flight is the magic of the night.” These words she spoke often in the quiet of the night as the stars danced over head.

She was a beautiful soul of Irish kin, loving mother, loving wife and friend to all.

She is survived by her husband, Doug, of Kalispell; sons, Jason Giarmo of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Shawn (Stacey) Giarmo of Santa Rosa, California, and daughter Santa Samantha (Elias Martinez) Giarmo of Kalispell; brothers, Robert (Linda) Eger Jr. of Roseville, California, and Greg (Helen) Eger of Durham, Maine.; stepmom, Eldine Eger, of Campbell, California; grandchildren, Carter and Priya Giarmo, Asher Giarmo, Grayson Werner, Mia and Galilea Martinez; along with numerous nephews and nieces.

There will be no public service. In accordance with her wishes a private family celebration of her life will take place in October. All condolences are asked to be sent via email to: Whisperingpeaks@gmail.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.