She didn't just talk the talk; she walked the walk. On May 6, 2021, Linda Legreid passed away from cancer. A devout Christian, Linda was the very essence of love. Her husband of 53 years, Harold, and their children, Brent and Anna, can attest to the joy she brought to all who knew her. Toward the end, Linda teared up as she marveled at all the help and gifts received from friends and relatives. But it was Linda who took kindness and generosity to a new level. It seemed she was always involved in a project to benefit someone else and took no credit for it.

Her favorite passage from Scripture was, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) Linda told family and friends to "watch for surprises" in life as they will lead to better things and a hope filled future.

When the kids were small, Linda "inspired" them to dress up as Joseph, Mary, and angels every Christmas Eve and read their favorite stories to the grownups and younger cousins celebrating with them. We still have the videos. Years later, at their bridal showers, Brent and Anna had to deal with Linda, dressed as a bag lady, providing "sage" advice on marriage and child-raising. Friends said Linda always had "a party in her pocket" just waiting for the opportunity to celebrate someone's achievement or milestone. She made hosting look easy.

Linda was born June 28, 1947 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Leonard and Myrtle Wick. Her father was a school superintendent who eventually settled down in Maddock, North Dakota, where she reconnected with her future husband, Harold Legreid. Although there is a photo of Linda and Harold holding hands as toddlers, they didn't start dating until college. Linda graduated with honors from Moorhead State University, earning degrees in elementary and special education.

After her marriage to Harold on August 31, 1968, Linda taught in Georgia, Texas, Korea, North Dakota, and Minnesota. She finished her career at Probstfield Elementary in Moorhead, MN where in 1996 she was selected Teacher of the Year in Moorhead and Honor Roll Teacher of the Year for the entire state of Minnesota. Recently, a third grade teacher and former student of Linda's, credited Linda for changing the course of her life. Love of learning, embracing differences, and turning the classroom into a one-room school house are just a few of the things that left lasting impressions. We wonder how many other teachers came from Linda's classrooms. Linda retired from teaching the same day Harold retired as an engineer on May 31, 2002. They established a home in Arizona where they made a new slate of friends. Together, since they always worked as a team, they helped to make their community an even more friendly and supportive place to live.

Linda and Harold have two children. Brent Legreid married Andrea Brandt and they have two children, Ella, 18, and Casen, 15. Anna Legreid Dopp married John Dopp and they also have two children, Krista, 11, and Aaron, 9. Nothing mattered more to Linda than the quality time spent with her grandchildren. Despite geographical challenges, Linda attended the births of three of them. She developed and cultivated meaningful relationships with all of them, often whispering special secrets in their ears.

In retirement, Linda enjoyed hiking, being with friends, traveling, and quilting. She started an annual event called Operation Love in Chandler, AZ. Every year, Linda and her quilting friends donated more than one hundred quilts to a nonprofit organization which distributes handmade blankets to children in crisis.

Both Harold and Linda are of Scandinavian heritage. Their ancestors even knew each other in Norway. Traveling to Scandinavia, Linda met cousins and cherished these new relationships. Every holiday was blessed with not only good company, but Linda's delicious Norwegian delicacies like lefse, flatbread, and sandbakkels.

Linda is survived by Harold, Brent, Anna, and their families, as well as by Linda's beloved sister, Judy Dodge and her son and his family. Also privileged to have been part of Linda's life are in-laws Jim and Pam Vukelic, Brad and Sherry Legreid, and their children, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by Leonard and Myrtle Wick, Firemann and Mary Lois Legreid, and brother-in-law Charles Dodge.

The family will celebrate Linda's life on Monday, June 14 at 1:00 pm at North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND. Video streaming will be available for those unable to attend. A celebration of life will be held in November in their community of Solera in Chandler, Arizona. Memorials are not expected but can be directed to the Backpack Ministry Program at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham, Minnesota 619 3 ^rd Ave SW, Perham, MN 56573 ( www.calvaryperham.com/backpak ) or Hospice of the Valley 1701 38 ^th Street S, Fargo, ND 58103 ( www.hov.org ).