Linda Heidi Becker (née Holdt) was born on 14 February 1946 in the Finnish Mission Hospital at Engela in then South West Africa. The daughter of Sofus and Hedwig Holdt, her father served as a commissioner in the government’s Bantu Affairs Department, which led the family to move frequently. Linda attended school in Flagstaff (Transkei), at the Lutheran congregation’s school in Kroondal near Rustenburg, and matriculated in Pietersburg before pursuing her chosen profession of occupational therapy in Pretoria.

A Calling in Bloemfontein

After several years in practice, Linda accepted an appointment as a lecturer in occupational therapy in Bloemfontein. It was there, in January 1978, that she was invited for Sunday tea at the home of friends—an invitation that would change her life. That same month, Vicar Arthur Becker arrived in Bloemfontein and stayed with those friends’ parents. One year later, on 6 January 1979, Linda and Arthur were married at St. Peter’s Church in Pretoria by Pastor Werner Ludewig. Shortly thereafter, Arthur was called to serve as pastor of the Lutheran congregation in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape.

Family Life on the Frontier

For eighteen years, Linda and Arthur made their home in Stutterheim, where they welcomed four sons: Manfred (who sadly lived only a few hours), Carl, Rolf, and Christian. In 1996, the family moved to Philippi when Arthur was called as pastor of that congregation.

Ever adaptable, Linda resumed her occupational‑therapy practice at Westlake Hospital and the Conradie Care Centre in Pinelands, Cape Town.

A Heart for Service

Beyond her professional work, Linda was deeply involved in congregational life. She sang in the choir, led women’s groups both in Stutterheim and Philippi, and organised numerous fundraisers for charitable causes. One beloved project under her leadership was the knitting of blankets for the Tjok outreach programme.

Final Years and Legacy

After a fulfilling career, Linda retired in 2011 and moved with Arthur to Kraaifontein. In her final weeks she was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. She peacefully passed away at home on Friday, 28 March 2025. She is mourned by her husband Arthur, her sons Carl, Rolf (and his wife Thuya) and their daughter Helen, and Christian.

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

— Job 1:21