Kathleen Reese Linder

Kathleen Almira (Reese) Linder, 96, of La Crosse died February 7, 2015, at Bethany Riverside. She was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on December 28, 1918, to Harry L. and Etta E. (Baker) Reese. Her childhood years were spent on a small farm near Bridgeport, West Virginia. She graduated from Grafton High School where she trained in secretarial and stenographic skills. She was employed for three years in Grafton by the Taylor County Department of Public Assistance.
In 1941 Kathleen moved to Washington D.C. to work for the federal government as a secretary, first for the U. S. Navy Department and later for the Office of Contract Settlement. In 1946 she began work as secretary for a patent attorney in private practice. On September 10, 1947, she married Frank Linder in Washington D.C., and they moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Kathleen was a charter member of Town and Country Garden Club for more than twenty-five years and continued her interest in gardening thereafter. She was a member of Chapter BX of the PEO Sisterhood. As a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church she was active in the Susannah Wesley Circle and United Methodist Women. In the 1990s she served as a volunteer at the Pump House and at Gundersen-Lutheran Hospital.
Kathleen was well-liked and well-respected. She will be remembered for her intelligence, sweet disposition, sense of humor, beauty, and capable contributions to the organizations she served. She was a gracious hostess and loyal friend. In addition to her love of flower gardening, her favorite pastimes included reading, golf, walking, visiting her grandchildren, and traveling—especially to Europe.
She spent her last decade receiving wonderful care from the staff at three care levels of Bethany Lutheran Homes—the Willows, Hearten House I, and the Lighthouse. She handled her decline from Alzheimer’s with intelligence, quiet grace, and good humor. She was known as “a lady in the true sense of the word.” The family offers heartfelt thanks to all of the Bethany staff.
Kathleen is survived by her four children, Jean of La Crosse; Mark and Kay of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Greg (Margaret Buch) of Lake Villa, Illinois; and three grandchildren, Sarah of Chicago, Illinois, and Stephen and Mason of Lake Villa. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents; three brothers, Darrell, Harry Jr., and Donald; and her sister Linda.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Private family burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Bethany Lutheran Homes or P.E.O. - Chapter BX.