Linda F. Carlson, 82, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Linda was born August 3, 1941 in Wakefield, Nebraska to Clarence and Ebba (Johnson) Holm. She married the love of her life, Terry R. Carlson on June 11, 1961, who preceded her in death on December 6, 2023. Linda graduated from Wakefield (Nebraska) High School and went on to earn an Associate degree in Business Administration. Linda began her professional career working with insurance and then was a stay-at-home mom for several years. She later worked at the Highland (Kansas) Collier Manor Nursing Home, advancing to Administrator. She finished her professional career working for American Family Insurance, retiring in 2006.
Even though Linda had a professional career, her true identity was being a Pastor’s Wife. Linda epitomized the characteristics of what might be “expected” of a pastor’s wife: selflessness, genuine, caring, hospitable, flexible, even-tempered, kind, and a servant-leader. Linda had the ability to adapt to wherever the Lord called her husband, whether that was in Kansas, Missouri, or Australia. Linda was the steady force allowing her husband, Terry to be successful in full-time ministry. It was not uncommon for her husband to come home and tell Linda he had invited several people for supper. Linda would always accommodate those invited and serve with a positive attitude.
Linda was proud of her Swedish heritage and she loved her family. Linda’s faith was extremely important to her and she would spend hours praying for her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Ivar (Skiv) and Pearl Carlson; brother, Merlyn Holm; Sister-in-law, Mardell Holm; brothers-in-law N. Gene Carlson and Richard “Dick” Laue.
Linda is survived by children, Pamela (Marty) Clary, Candess Harman, and Chad (Cailey) Carlson all of St. Joseph, MO; grandchildren: Derek (Roxanna) Harman-Newton, Kansas, Lindsey (Jacob) Horvatic-St. Joseph, MO, Blake Clary-Kansas City, MO, Dalton (Lauren) Harman-Salina, KS, Tennyson Clary, Chaelee Harman, Molly Carlson, Chiara Harman, Chalin Harman, and Macormick Carlson, all from St. Joseph, MO; great-grandchildren: Destinee Ramsey, Natalee Ramsey, Baylee Harman, and Luke Harman; Sisters-in-Law: Beth Laue-Wayne, NE, Janet Carlson-Wichita, KS, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to say a big thank you to the Hospice staff at Freudenthal’s and staff at Corby Place Senior Living for assisting in Linda’s care the past few months.
A Celebration of Life for both Linda and Terry will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Green Valley Baptist Church.
