Obituary of Linda Wehking Magnuson

 

Linda Wehking Magnuson, 80, of Monticello passed away at Mercy Hospital early the morning

of Friday, January 5th , from treatment complications related to a recurrence of non-Hodgkin’s

lymphoma. She had many visitors throughout her stay at the hospital and was able to visit with

and say goodbye to her children and most grandchildren the night before she passed. Her

oldest son (Russell) was able to stay with her until she passed.

 

Linda was born on June 23rd, 1943 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her

mother, Gladys (Walters) Isley and her father, Raymond Wehking. Linda is survived by her three

sons: Russell Magnuson (Katie), Daniel Magnuson, and Steven Magnuson (Candace), and her

half-sister, Janet Isley, and her half-brother, Howard Isley. She was blessed with 11 special

grandchildren and 6 extra special great grandchildren.

 

Linda was ahead of her time in many ways for her generation and let nothing stand in her way

once she set her mind to it. Early in the 1970s she applied her sense of style and artistic flare to

a number of crafty type projects, and sold her original works at craft fairs and various shops

around the area. She also dabbled in furniture restoration, and no matter what the item, she

could turn it into something truly special.

 

Linda worked at Mercy Hospital for a number of years until retirement. Her favorite job was

sterilization of instruments and preparation of surgical trays, which she felt was her way of

helping others have the best possible outcome from whatever procedures they were

undergoing.

 

Later in life she came out of retirement to babysit one of her great grandchildren, Jack (so his

mom could return to work), which by far (in her words) was “the best job she ever had.”

Linda enjoyed reading and puzzles while enjoying a Pepsi and some potato chips. She was fond

of chickens, donkeys, elephants, murder mysteries, vampires and watching home remodeling

shows. She loved to visit Duluth. If she would have had more time, she would have made one

last trip to Ohio to visit her best friend Sandy Rodocker, as well as her half-brother Howard and

wife Pam. She was known for her witty comments and great sense of humor. She loved visiting

her granddaughter Kayla’s garden during “pea season” and always made a couple trips to the

101 Market for sweet corn. She was also famous for serving her spaghetti “hotdish” for most

holidays she hosted.

 

Some of her best quotes were “You can never have too much butter”, “Never park next to a

white car” and “I’m a really nice person if you get to know me.” She was known for having

strong opinions and fighting hard for what she believed in. She would urge everyone to explore

the stories of Nephilim/giants.

 

She spent her last years downsizing into a smaller home, volunteering at the Wise Penny. She

always had a dream of living on the Mississippi River, and had just fulfilled that dream a few

months before her passing. She was loved by so many. It was a joy to be loved by Linda and she

will be greatly missed.

 

Plans for interment of her ashes and a remembrance gathering are pending for late spring or

the early summer.

 

Cards or remembrances (no flowers please) can be sent to:

Russell Magnuson

3513 Sterling Ave

Alexandria, VA 22304

Or emailed to:

russellmagnuson@gmail.com