As Linda Clover doesn’t remember her accident that left her fighting for her life at the age of 81, she says she is blessed to have no memories of the day that has left her thanking God to be alive.
On November 22, 2025, Clover, who lives in Cawker City sustained serious injuries after being struck by a car just before 1:30 p.m. on the 800 block of Wisconsin street. A vehicle was traveling eastbound when it struck Clover on the north side after she had left the coffee shop.
The Emergency Medical Service transported Clover to the Mitchell County Hospital Health Services for treatment before she was life-flighted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
“I don’t remember anything and that is probably a good thing since some people that saw it told me about it,” said Clover. “When I woke up in Wichita I was confused and asked why I was there. I thought I was meeting with my son, Tim.”
Clover didn’t really know a lot for some time while in Wichita as she was unconscious most of the time because of the injuries she sustained and needed to remain calm while they worked on her. They had to operate on one part at a time with breaks she had all the way up from her toes. “Nothing on my right side worked right and I am still today working on making that better,” Clover said.
A rod was placed below her pelvic area and was on the outside so she had to lay on her back for close to a month.
“It was all just so confusing and when my three grandchildren showed up from Chanute, I thought, oh this isn’t good,” laughed Clover.
A very touch and go situation was to stop the bleeding of her kidneys and with parts of the organs not working right.
Her son started posting on how she was doing on social media because people were showing up at the hospital and she could not be seen.
“I had so much pain to deal with but I managed,” said Linda. “They told me I was very local and loud about my pain in the beginning and I’m sure I was.”
Since Clover returned home in a new year after three months, others are telling her they can’t believe how great she is doing.
“Dr. Owen was in the Beloit emergency room after this happened and when I see him now, he is amazed,” said Clover. “When I get to therapy, they are all so amazed at how I am doing and that I even survived.”
In Wichita, Clover was in ICU for nine days and then on the floor for eight days. She then went to Wesley Rehab for 29 days before she was sent to Catholic Care for 26 day because of insurance. She was then sent back to Wesley rehab for 19 days before being released to go home with a hall full of nurses waving pom pom’s and sending her on her way in a positive atmosphere.
Clover had leg braces to first walk with because of the pelvic and vertebrae issues, and a neck brace. She had a wound vac tube as well.
“Rehab was wonderful with the individuals that helped me so much. They said when they saw my chart, they weren’t sure what to do with me having all of that apparel,” laughed Clover.
Today, Clover still has the rod for her pelvic area but it is on the inside now. She has no more braces on her legs or her neck, after being released from Wichita in February wearing a brace on her spine and legs.
“The care and the food were wonderful in Wichita as soon as I was able to eat solid food,” said Clover.
After being watched over by Angels when the accident happened, Clover is now being watched over by Angel Care Home Health centered in Russell. Therapists help others in the Beloit, Downs, Glen Elder, and Osborne areas.
I try not to take pain medicine and have been told by doctors that they believe I have survived because I try to stay mobile in doing things.
This has always included taking care of the Ball of Twine in Cawker City. She is very well known as the “Belle of the Ball” with taking good care of the Cawker City Ball of Twine. Clover is a past Leadership Mitchell County Community Volunteerism recipient of 2020-2021.
Even now Clover has continued to spread the word about the largest Ball of Twine in her hometown of Cawker City through her hospital stay and her therapy group from Wichita are planning together to see her in June to see the ball of twine.
“We all became friends and yes I was advertising the Ball of Twine throughout my stay,” laughed Clover.
Clover received a large box of cards during her hospital stay and the therapists used these items to help with her cognitive skills by asking where they were from, etc.
“Just getting my cards to me was an awesome task,” shared Clover. “These included two big manila envelopes from school children I would read to in Cawker City. I read to the daycare children and even got my daycare license as well if they needed me there as a substitute.”
Clover includes volunteerism throughout her life and it shows through all of the kind words she received during and after her accident.
Clover returned home to Cawker City and received a welcome home celebration on Feb. 21, 2026, at the Ball of Twine. She has since returned to Wichita using a cane to show them how well she was doing and she received many hugs from the nurses and therapists who have taken such good care of her.
“I was so happy to see my two cats that I missed dearly throughout this ordeal,” Clover said. “I am not bitter at all about what happened to me. It has shown me that maybe I need to slow down and take better care of myself and tell others to do as well. I do forgive the individual involved with the accident. I will try and do better and keep on the right track of walking. I want to thank everyone who has helped me, said kind words and otherwise.”
Clover now walks without her walker, drives the golf cart around town and recently drove her car to church with her son Todd. She is enjoying helping at church and participating in a tourism meeting.
I feel like God still has plans for me.”
