Obituary of Eleanor Linder

Eleanor “Sue” Linder

September 5^th, 1927 to July 21^st, 2020

Sue (Eleanor Ann Swearengin) (Aldean) Linder, passed away peacefully in Post Falls, Idaho on the morning of July 21, 2020.  Sue was born September 5, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, to Joseph and Mary (Betty) Swearengin.  She graduated from Humboldt High School in St. Paul in 1945 and attended the University of Minnesota, Class of 1949.  She married Carl W. Aldean in October of 1949 and together they had three children:  Charles, Kathy and Mary Jo.  They lived in St. Paul until 1960 when they moved to Arizona to be closer to her parents following Sue’s back surgery.  They lived there until they returned to St. Paul in 1963.  Sue spent many years working from home typing thesis papers for U of M students.  In 1968, she became the Executive Director of the Ramsey County Medical Society until her retirement in November 1985.  She loved working at RCMS and enjoyed lasting friendships from there until her death. 

She and Carl divorced after 29 years of marriage and then she met and married Donald Linder and gained a whole new family.  They travelled back and forth from Minnesota to Arizona for a number of years before finally settling in Mesa, AZ.  Don passed away in 2001 and she remained in AZ until 2007 when she returned to Minnesota to be closer to her family.  In 2018, she made her last move to Post Falls, Idaho, to live by her daughter Mary Jo, who had relocated there with her husband Bill, after living 32 years in Sitka, Alaska. 

She lived out her years at a lovely assisted living home where she could play bridge several times a week!  She was very active in other games and activities as well up until the Coronavirus prevented her from gathering with her friends. She knitted her family many sweaters, vests, blankets and dish cloths over the years.  She tried her hand at jewelry making and other crafts too.  Sue was a kind, thoughtful, encouraging soul.  She never held a grudge against anyone and was always quick to forgive.  She always made time for her family and friends and as the years went on, spent countless hours on the phone with them.  

The many long months of isolation from her family and friends at her assisted living facility due to the Coronavirus wore Sue down.  She herself contracted the virus and was admitted to the hospital on July 12^th.  She passed away peacefully in the hospital nine days after being admitted.  Sue loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was looking forward to the day she would meet him face-to-face.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Don, her stepson Greg, Karen’s husband Randy and Mary Jo’s husband Bill.   She is survived by her son Charles (Lori) Aldean, daughters Kathy (Gene) Barton, and Mary Jo McNally.  Grandchildren:  Jake (Sarah) Aldean, Chuck (Emily) Aldean and Carla (Dan) Cheng, Kayte Barton, Patrick (Josie) Barton and Elizabeth Barton.  Great grandchildren:  Emma, Madeline, and Peter Aldean; Mason and Conner Aldean; Eleanor, Juliana and Vivian Cheng; Bill, Jacob, Anna Mae, Bethany and Joe Barton.  Also survived by the loving children of spouse Donald:  Jeffrey (Sharon) Linder and Karen Skogman.  Grandchildren Mariel and Mitchell Skogman, Iris and Guthrie Linder and Aubrey and Josie Linder.   Also survived by special “adopted” kids, Kathy and Jim Nunn.  Sue also wished to acknowledge Cheryl and Jim Williams and their children Rene, Michelle and Michael.  “They are family and I love them dearly.”  Her brother Bill Swearengin (Nancy-deceased) and her nephews Robert and Richard Swearengin and niece Suzie (Mark) VanWidvey.  Her brother Bill passed away only 30 days after Sue’s death.

A private committal service will be held on October 19, 2020, at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.