Linda Lorraine Justesen
Linda Justesen was a woman who loved her family and made amazing brownies. Her smile and hugs are greatly missed.
Linda Lorraine Justesen, 75, born Linda Lorraine Roland to Gordon and Florence Roland on Dec. 21, 1948, in Rupert, Idaho, was a woman of remarkable resilience.
She graduated school, married, and had two boys, Brett and Stacey Pruett. Linda then followed her family to Washington and settled in Moses Lake, where she enrolled at Big Bend Community College, meeting the sister of her future husband’s friend. It was with her that she spotted Don standing on the street corner, fresh out of the military. One year later, Linda and Don went to Coeur d’Alene to get married in 1971. Heath was born in 1974, making it four boys to manage including her husband, Don. That was the most challenging job of them all!
Linda went to work for the school district for a few years before she began her career with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, where she spent nearly 30 years, many as the office manager. When the state closed the office, Linda worked for the Department of State Health Services for two years until she retired.
Not long after retirement, Linda became a volunteer veterinarian assistant, working with many pets that she loved to help.
Linda loved to go to the ocean, where she learned what a casino was. This gave her a new favorite pastime while her husband, Don, fished. Linda was not a born camper, but after many years of camping, she began to love it.
Tragedy struck in March of 1995. Linda and the family lost their son, Stacey. This was a very tough time for everyone, especially Linda until she realized he was always in her heart and never far away.
Linda had a wonderful life with Don, her sons, her family and some wonderful friends.
She is preceded in death by her son, Stacey; her brothers, Larry and Bob; her sisters, Phyllis and Karen; and her parents, Gordon and Florence.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Don; her sons Brett and Heath (Olga); her brother Rick (Trang); grandchildren (KoDee, KyLee, Logan and Landon); great-grandchildren (Skylar, River, Lennox and Camden); and many nieces and nephews.
Her short bout with cancer brought us here today. We thank Assured Hospice for being an immense help and Lea Bolyard for her gentle care.
Linda never met anyone who did not become a friend. They all loved her and her world-class brownies. Of them all, Robyn Hansen and Lynn Brown were her partners in crime and casino buddies.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Assured Hospice or your favorite animal shelter.
All family and friends are invited to join a celebration of life graveside service Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake, Wash., followed by a luncheon at the LDS Stake Center on Division Street.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.