The funeral service for Gene D. Linde, (aka “Girty”) of Albert Lea, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Holt will officiate. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.
Gene died on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Naples, Fla. He was born on July 29, 1949, in Albert Lea; the son of Morris and Thelma Linde (Brackey). He was 60 years old. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
Gene had two previous marriages; first to Lynn Perhus and had one son, Ryan Linde, and second marriage to Lori Olson and had two daughters, Nicole and Annie Linde. For the last 22 years he was in a relationship with Debra Stanley.
Gene worked hard throughout his life. He was always on the go, working constantly; making those that watched him feel lazy. Gene served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked in the tanks and was stationed in Germany. During his time in Germany, he had fallen in love with the country’s beauty. He made an effort to return there yearly. Gene loved to shower his family and friends with souvenirs from his travels, especially his well-known T-shirts. Gene received his associate’s degree in drafting and was employed with Streater in Albert Lea for 20+ years. Gene also had become a partner with two others and opened Billie’s Bar (Albert Lea) for three years from 1982-85. During that time he got interested in real estate and started acquiring rental property. He also made a career change and got his real estate license. He became an agent at Remax (Albert Lea). Gene did that for a few years, he then received his contractor license. He started his own business (Albert Lea Home Inspections). He currently was looking to pass his broker’s license exam. Gene’s passion was “do-it yourself work” and a goal of his was to bulid his own home someday.
Gene was very hardworking and built his legacy on his own, his work ethic was as much a replica of his late mother, Thelma; which she meant the world to him. He made a great effort to teach his children that life is not handed to them and in order to be successful it is imperative to strive on one’s own. Gene was a very personable person and loved to talk with others. On his trips he would love to just walk up to a stranger and have a conversation. Gene was an intelligent, loving and caring man, but also had the Norwegian stubbornness. Gene’s hobbies include traveling, playing pool, deer hunting, bowling, and riding motorcycle. He was a world traveler and that was probably his biggest hobby.
Gene will be greatly missed by his family, children: Ryan Linde of Albert Lea, Nicole Linde of Albert Lea, and Annie (Mike) Linde-Kurth of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Rosalyn, Donte, Kyonna, Daryl, Tiara, Olivia; sisters: Marlene Roberts of Northwood, Iowa, and Bette Linde of Albert Lea; brothers: Gerald (Vicki) Linde of Albert Lea, and Ronald (Merilynn) Linde of Albert Lea.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma; father, Morris; brother, Lee “Butch” Linde, and sister Maureen Linde.
Gone yet not forgotten although we are apart your spirit lives within us forever in our hearts.