Linda Sawall

Linda Mary (Hope) Sawall passed away November 24, 2018 in Portage, Michigan. Linda was born May 28, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the only daughter of Robert and Betty (Schau) Hope. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1959 and attended Western Michigan University. In 1965, she was united in marriage to Robert B. Sawall. Linda worked as a model at Gilmore's Department Store and at the Kalamazoo Gazette before finding her calling as owner of Sawall Health Foods. Linda, along with her husband, purchased the small store located on East Vine St, in downtown Kalamazoo from her Father-in-law Gordon Sawall in 1979. In 1990, She moved the store to Oakwood Plaza, in Kalamazoo, overseeing eight store expansions, winning Kalamazoo Gazette Retailer of the Year, as well as the opening of two Kalamazoo restaurants, Oakwood Bistro (originally known as Frank & Gordon's) in 1997 and Cafe '36 in 2017, and the opening of Amorino Gelato al Naturale. One of Michigan's most innovative female entrepreneurs in the local food movement, Linda helped many start-up local businesses by featuring their organic and all natural products. She cared enormously about the customers who shopped at her store developing life-long friendships with many of them. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her family and would do anything for her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. Linda is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Robert B. Sawall; two sons, Robert S. Sawall and his wife Noreen, Mark Sawall and his wife Daniela; six grandchildren, Corey, Lachlan, Sierra and Shawna Sawall, Mike and Max Dion. Private graveside services will be held at Hope Cemetery, Texas Corners, MI. Memorials in Linda's memory may be directed to the First Church of Christ Scientist, 1225 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Please visit Linda's webpage for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com