Obituaries

Linda Bell Steltenkamp, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Ft. Wright, Kentucky. She was born on June 21, 1950, in New Haven Connecticut to the late Harry and Barbara (Camp) Peterson.

Linda married and had two wonderful sons, Bob and Ryan Bell. She worked as a Registered nurse for many years at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tragically, Linda lost her husband to brain cancer, leaving her to raise their two boys on her own. During her grief, she was invited to join a support group called the Stars, a program organized by the funeral home for children and parents coping with the loss of a spouse or parent. It was there that Linda met Steve, who had also endured the heartbreaking loss of his wife to the very same disease. Steve was raising his four children as a single father after her passing. Their shared experiences created an immediate connection, and what began as friendship soon grew into love. Their home was built on resilience, understanding, and love as they blended their two families together. Together they spent the next 28 years raising, loving, and celebrating their six children and, in time, fourteen grandchildren, filling their home with laughter, milestones, family traditions, and memories that will be cherished for generations.

Linda shared a deep passion for travel with her husband, Steve. Their adventures took them across the globe—from the beaches of Hawaii and the landscapes of Alaska to the historic streets of Italy and Spain. Above all her travels, Linda’s greatest fulfillment came from her role as a grandmother. She dedicated herself to caring for her grandchildren, who brought immense happiness and light to her life. She also spent over 20 years volunteering at the Parish Kitchen in Covington, doing God’s work, serving others. Linda and Steve were parishioners at St. Agnes Catholic Church.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Harry and Barbara (Camp) Peterson; her sister, Sandy Bell and the father of her children, Richard Bell.

Those left here to carry on her loving legacy are her husband and best friend of 28 years, Steve Steltenkamp; her children, Bob (Jennie) Bell, Ryan (Erin Hedges) Bell, Amy (Dan) Creekmur, Tom (Lauren) Steltenkamp, Rob Steltenkamp, Joe (Kayla) Steltenkamp; adored grandchildren, Reece, Steven, Rylan, Sam, Grace, Zack, Ross, Sadie, William, Lexi, Rowan, Carolyn, Annie, and T.J.; her brother, Doug (Marianne) Peterson and a host of extended family and friends.

The family would also like to express their sincere appreciationto St. Elizabeth Hospice and Homewatch Caregivers for their outstanding care and respect they showed to Linda. A special thank you to nurse Nicole and Laura, social worker Nicole, and nurse assistant Abby for taking the upmost care of Linda and treating her as if she was their own.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11:30 AM at St. Agnes Church 1680 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY 41011. Visitation will be held at the Church from 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Linda will be laid to rest privately at St. John Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, KY at the convenience of her family.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in her name to the Parish Kitchen or to St. Jude Research Foundation.

To leave an online condolence for the family or to share a fond memory of Linda, please visit www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.