Linda Krogh

Obituary

When Linda Ruth Olsen was born in Sharon, Connecticut on August 8, 1948, to Odmund and Evelyn (Hale) Olsen, the world gained an exuberant, charismatic, witty, and compassionate soul. Linda had a love of learning and pursued education throughout her life. She was Valedictorian of her 1965 graduating class at Oakfield-Alabama Central (New York) high school. Linda went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in Linguistics from the University of Minnesota, graduating Magna Cum Laude in December 1970. After nearly a decade of enriching the lives of youth by teaching students in both remedial and gifted classes, Linda earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from St. Cloud State University (Minnesota). She went on to become a high school counselor and spent the second half of her career as a licensed psychologist providing mental health counseling to children, teenagers, and families. Linda also utilized her vast experience and education as an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department of Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minnesota).

Linda loved traveling and spending cherished time with family and friends. In addition to many trips throughout the U.S., she also had the opportunity to visit far off places including India, Italy, Israel, British Columbia, South Korea, and Norway (to visit the birthplace of her father). As evidenced by the thousands of photos she took of family and nature, Linda enjoyed capturing memories throughout the years with her camera. She also enjoyed seeing musicals, a good bargain shopping trip, a competitive game of scrabble, creating a beautiful home and playtime with children. Linda appreciated the flowers of springtime in all their splendor, picnics in the summer and a walk on a crisp fall day with leaves rustling around her feet. As winter approached, she focused all preparations on her favorite of holidays, Christmas. The Christmas season was ushered in with a trip to the tree farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree. There was only one variety that was a match, sturdy enough for all her magnificent ornaments… the blue spruce. Another of Linda’s great traditions enjoyed by family and friends was her Christmas open house when she decorated her home in all the rich splendor of the holiday season and baked delectable delights.

Throughout the years, Linda lived out her devotion to Jesus by serving in his church. She was a founding member of churches in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and Houghton, South Dakota. Linda enjoyed visiting with her friends after church; she was often one of the last people in church on any given Sunday. Her children have memories of falling asleep as she practiced piano on Saturday night in preparation for the church service the following day. In addition to playing piano and organ for a number of churches, Linda was also an avid participant in an assortment of church and community choirs. In fact, Linda met Jon at the Crow River Singers group and they later were married on January 14, 2006.

Linda R. Krogh, 70, died peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2019, at her home in Hutchinson, Minnesota, after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Along with her husband Jon, Linda is survived by three children, Rachel Waldstein, Daniel Waldstein (Jessica) and Lydia Waldstein; a step-daughter, Christina Krogh (Daniel Pou); a sister, Amy (Joseph) Macaluso; two brothers, Rev. Erik (Cheryl) Olsen and Arnold (Pamela) Olsen; her first husband, Sam Waldstein; four grandchildren, Luke, Chloe and Benjamin Waldstein and Wilhelmina Pou; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from around the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Odmund and Evelyn Olsen.