Obituary for Linnae Dawn Coleman
Linnae Dawn Coleman, nee Knupp (formerly Nantais) of Mohnton, PA, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 27. Linnae was born August 19, 1955, in Somerset county PA, eventually becoming one of eight children of her parents, Ester Jean (Snyder) Knupp and Delbert William Knupp. Linnae had several passions in her life which shaped her life, and the lives of those around her. These were service to others through nursing, her love and dedication to family, and her faith.
Linnae was driven from a very young age to pursue a life of service through nursing. Despite obstacles that might have prevented some from achieving this dream, she graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS In Nursing. Linnae then embarked upon a career that required physical and mental toughness, serving twenty-seven years in critical and intensive care units, often in a trauma center. Additionally, she often worked in multiple hospitals simultaneously or added shifts as a traveling nurse, or in other capacities. Beyond needing these jobs to provide for her family, Linnae enjoyed the challenges and rewards of helping those most in need and found pride and purpose in her profession. When she finally needed to pivot, she found a less physically demanding role where she could still employ her talents to help others. She spent thirteen years as a case manager for Health Partner Plans in Philadelphia, working to ensure patients received insurance coverage for their medical needs. After this impressive career, she retired in December of 2017.
Even though she was born and raised in a large family, she remained committed to being as close to her siblings as life allowed. Linnae is survived by four sisters and three brothers: Glenda Kay Peterson of Stoystown, PA; Cheryl Hickle of Inwood, WV; Alita Kiss of Huntington, PA; and Karen Barrett of DeLand, FL; Jan Knupp of Colorado Springs, CO; Greg Knupp of Waynesboro, PA; and Keith Knupp of Pleasant Hill, OH. She often expressed her interest in their lives and wished that she could have been closer to them and their families throughout the years. Never one to ruminate on regrets though, she appreciated the time and closeness that she was able to find, especially in recent years.
As a mother, Linnae was truly an inspiration. She is survived by three children whom she mostly raised by herself: Adam Nantais and his wife Sarah of Gilbertsville, PA; Erica Nantais and her husband Chris Quintanilla of Bradenton, FL.; and Joel Nantais and his wife Holly of Rockville, MD. Linnae’s love and dedication to her children was a bedrock of her life and actions. Beyond the long work hours to provide for her family, she embraced her children with acceptance, forgiveness, and equanimity. She sacrificed for them daily but never would have felt that she was sacrificing anything. She taught them through both her words and actions. She was accepting and supportive of them and their dreams, and proud of who they grew into in their lives. She was predeceased by her first husband, Jack Nantais, and survived by her second husband, Bob Coleman. Linnae and Bob were married on December 29, 2001, at St. James Church in West Reading, PA. She was thankful for their many great years as partners. In their recent mutual retirement, they enjoyed reading, the theatre, traveling, and cruising together. They also enjoyed quiet evenings together with family as often as could be arranged. Linnae enjoyed swimming at her aqua class at Body Zone in Wyomissing as well as showing her cats her endless capacity for love.
Her faith was something that she leaned on throughout her life, but also gave back to. Early on she was called to become a missionary for the church, but life circumstances and the needs of her family did not permit her to follow through on this calling. Not to be discouraged, she created other avenues for her to pursue her faith and service to the church. Most recently, Linnae was very active at Reading City Church in West Reading, PA. She was involved with the women’s ministry, women’s bible study, as well as helping with youth programs.
Her family and friends will truly miss her love, her perpetual optimism and positivity, and her calming presence in their lives. If they regret anything, it is that she did not have more time to enjoy the restful exploration and contemplation that her well-earned retirement recently provided her and Bob.
Funeral arrangements will be made by Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading, PA. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be set up for a later date at Reading City Church in West Reading, PA. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the National Association of Student Nursing scholarship as a way to honor her life and legacy: https://gofund.me/5bdbd3d2. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Linnae was driven from a very young age to pursue a life of service through nursing. Despite obstacles that might have prevented some from achieving this dream, she graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS In Nursing. Linnae then embarked upon a career that required physical and mental toughness, serving twenty-seven years in critical and intensive care units, often in a trauma center. Additionally, she often worked in multiple hospitals simultaneously or added shifts as a traveling nurse, or in other capacities. Beyond needing these jobs to provide for her family, Linnae enjoyed the challenges and rewards of helping those most in need and found pride and purpose in her profession. When she finally needed to pivot, she found a less physically demanding role where she could still employ her talents to help others. She spent thirteen years as a case manager for Health Partner Plans in Philadelphia, working to ensure patients received insurance coverage for their medical needs. After this impressive career, she retired in December of 2017.
Even though she was born and raised in a large family, she remained committed to being as close to her siblings as life allowed. Linnae is survived by four sisters and three brothers: Glenda Kay Peterson of Stoystown, PA; Cheryl Hickle of Inwood, WV; Alita Kiss of Huntington, PA; and Karen Barrett of DeLand, FL; Jan Knupp of Colorado Springs, CO; Greg Knupp of Waynesboro, PA; and Keith Knupp of Pleasant Hill, OH. She often expressed her interest in their lives and wished that she could have been closer to them and their families throughout the years. Never one to ruminate on regrets though, she appreciated the time and closeness that she was able to find, especially in recent years.
As a mother, Linnae was truly an inspiration. She is survived by three children whom she mostly raised by herself: Adam Nantais and his wife Sarah of Gilbertsville, PA; Erica Nantais and her husband Chris Quintanilla of Bradenton, FL.; and Joel Nantais and his wife Holly of Rockville, MD. Linnae’s love and dedication to her children was a bedrock of her life and actions. Beyond the long work hours to provide for her family, she embraced her children with acceptance, forgiveness, and equanimity. She sacrificed for them daily but never would have felt that she was sacrificing anything. She taught them through both her words and actions. She was accepting and supportive of them and their dreams, and proud of who they grew into in their lives. She was predeceased by her first husband, Jack Nantais, and survived by her second husband, Bob Coleman. Linnae and Bob were married on December 29, 2001, at St. James Church in West Reading, PA. She was thankful for their many great years as partners. In their recent mutual retirement, they enjoyed reading, the theatre, traveling, and cruising together. They also enjoyed quiet evenings together with family as often as could be arranged. Linnae enjoyed swimming at her aqua class at Body Zone in Wyomissing as well as showing her cats her endless capacity for love.
Her faith was something that she leaned on throughout her life, but also gave back to. Early on she was called to become a missionary for the church, but life circumstances and the needs of her family did not permit her to follow through on this calling. Not to be discouraged, she created other avenues for her to pursue her faith and service to the church. Most recently, Linnae was very active at Reading City Church in West Reading, PA. She was involved with the women’s ministry, women’s bible study, as well as helping with youth programs.
Her family and friends will truly miss her love, her perpetual optimism and positivity, and her calming presence in their lives. If they regret anything, it is that she did not have more time to enjoy the restful exploration and contemplation that her well-earned retirement recently provided her and Bob.
Funeral arrangements will be made by Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading, PA. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be set up for a later date at Reading City Church in West Reading, PA. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the National Association of Student Nursing scholarship as a way to honor her life and legacy: https://gofund.me/5bdbd3d2. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.