Linda Ann Breier

Our beloved Mimi, mother, sister, and friend, Linda Ann (DeVanna) Breier, passed away peacefully and was received into Heaven on a quiet, snowy New Year’s Eve, after a 25 year battle with Inclusion Body Myositis. We love that she made the most of 2025 by stretching the year as long as she could, ensuring she spent every possible moment close to the ones she loved.

Linda was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She was the oldest of eight children, and from an early age, carried a sense of responsibility for her sisters and brothers. She was described as their second mother, both in her quiet sacrifice and steady nurturing presence. She would often share stories of her childhood that centered around selflessness, duty to her family, and never feeling sorry for oneself. She was the epitome of resilience and strength.

Linda was raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family and was deeply committed to passing on her Catholic faith to her daughter and granddaughters. She was firmly rooted in the traditions of the Catholic Church and counted among her proudest moments the times she witnessed her daughter and granddaughters living the Catholic faith she had worked so diligently to instill in their hearts. So gentle, yet strong, were her efforts, that she was blessed to see her daughter welcomed into the Catholic Church in 2016, both of her sweet granddaughters receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, and, most recently, the honor of standing as sponsor for her oldest granddaughter, Evelyn, at her Sacrament of Confirmation.

Linda married her former husband, Walter Breier, in 1969, and waited eleven years to be informed that they had “accidentally” become pregnant. Due to her lupus diagnosis in her early twenties, doctors had all but forbidden her from conceiving and, thus, living her dream of becoming a mother. In 1981, God revealed His plans for her, and what she thought was a severe case of the stomach flu, turned out to be her greatest gift - their daughter Sarah. Ever devoted to raising Sarah with traditional Christian family values, Linda led by example. From planning and preparing homecooked meals at least six nights a week, to maintaining and cleaning the home herself, helping with homework every evening, and organizing and driving to every extracurricular activity, she truly did it all for Sarah – while always working a full-time job! Within her home, she firmly taught and prioritized the importance of American freedom, unwavering patriotism, gratitude for our service members and their sacrifices, the celebration of an entrepreneurial spirit, and a profound sense of philanthropic responsibility towards those in need. Linda’s core values continue to shine brightly in Sarah and in both of her granddaughters, Evelyn and Vivienne.

Linda was well known for her sense of style and grace. She had an air about her that exuded quiet sophistication and elegance. We would often hear her described as classy, refined, and timeless from those who had the pleasure of meeting her. When asked, her granddaughters, Evi and Vivi, described their Mimi as - their best friend, kind, gentle, graceful, loving, humble and compassionate. They recollected their fondest memories as - hopping in her van and taking her to Mass at St. Rose, playing Go-Fish, Peonies being her favorite flower (and cutting some of them off of her bush in the Spring), helping her play Wordle, her favorite phrases being “go with your gut” & “trust in God’s plan”, stroganoff on Christmas Eve, coffee at all times, and parmesan cheese (because she could never pronounce it right!).

Surviving are her beloved daughter Sarah and her beloved granddaughters Evelyn and Vivienne; her siblings Colleen (Jim), Tim (Cheryl), David, Connie and Leslie; her former son-in-law Ryan; her former husband Walter (Janet); her siblings by marriage Bill (Sherry), John (Karen), Linda (Bob) and Sally; her 20 nieces and nephews; and her faithful protector, who rarely left her side and made certain she felt safe through her final hour, her Marine, Jeff.

She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas DeVanna and Ann (Glenn) Zietsma; her baby sisters Jean and Joan DeVanna; her father- and mother-in-law William and Sarah Breier and her brother-in-law Kenneth Breier.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 12th from 2 to 7 p.m. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, at 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg (419-874-3133). The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m., directly following visitation. Services will be held on Tuesday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Rose Catholic Church of Perrysburg. Burial will follow at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose Catholic Church and Samaritan Purse. Condolences can be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com