The funeral service for Thelma N. Linde, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the First Lutheran Church Chapel, Albert Lea. The Rev. Dan Baker will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thelma died on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Home. She was 97. She was born on Nov. 30, 1912, in Leland, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Helen (Brackey) Lea. She was baptized and confirmed at Winnebago Lutheran Church and attended country school a mile from her home.
She was united in marriage to Morris Linde, son of Ole and Lena Linde, and they made their home in Albert Lea. Thelma had worked at the Depot Café, the Albert Lea Bakery, truck stop, Bel Aire motel and the B&B Café. She believed in working hard and she did all her life. She had a high standard of work ethics and also always liked to be on time. Thelma was a very independent women, she drove until she was 90 and also insisted on doing her own snow shoveling and yard raking.
Her family was all that mattered to her, she’d do anything for her kids, and was very proud of them. She was always lending a helping hand and watching her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and growing vegetables, crocheting, (she made many afghans), reading, and doing puzzle books. Christmas time brought homemade lefse rosettes, krumkake and sugar cookies from her kitchen. Precious times to her were those spent visiting with family, friends and neighbors sharing the fruits of her labor. Thelma lived at her home with her sister until two years ago when she became a resident of St. John’s Lutheran Home where she especially enjoyed playing cards and bingo.
She will be greatly missed by her family, children: Ronald (Merilynn) Linde of Albert Lea, Marlene Roberts of Northwood, Iowa, Gerald (Vicki) Linde of Albert Lea, Gene Linde of Albert Lea, Bette Linde of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Matt, Mark, Gina, Jessica, Scott, Jeff, Amy, Laurie, Rhonda, Sheila, Ricky, Melanie, Ryan, Nikki, Annie, Heather and Harmony; many great-grandchildren; sisters: Katherine Searles of Sioux City, Iowa, Avis (George) Aasleson of Oregon, Ella Marlowe of Albert Lea, Gladys Miller of California; and brother, Marlin (Billie) Lea of California; special niece, Glenavonne Fjelstad; and several other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Maureen, at age 3; son, Lee “Butch” Linde; and brothers: Erving and Jack.
She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.