Linda Lennie

Linda Lennie, 73, Bismarck, died of natural causes on July 26, 2016, doing one of the many things she loved, gardening in her own back yard. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 1, 2016, at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Avenue C., Bismarck, with Rev. Marv Mutzenberger officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sunday, July 31, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be at the Peace Church Cemetery, New Salem. Linda Lennie was born on Sept. 27, 1942, in Williston, ND, to Birdie and Edgar Zemliska. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many that loved her. She graduated from Williston High School. She was married to Eldon Lennie on Sept. 30, 1961 in Williston. Linda stated that the one thing she wanted in her obituary was the fact that she would give her grandkids a handmade card for holidays, birthdays, or when she was thinking of them. She would always put a stick of old hard gum in every card. If she forgot to put one in the card her grandkids would make it known that they were disappointed, even if they were given money. The one thing she was most proud of was that both her children and her oldest grandchildren had graduated from college. That was the one dream she wanted for herself. She stated that an education was the only thing no one could take away. She was an artist at many things. Linda loved to paint in her spare time (what little there was). She made very beautiful rosemaled paintings. Linda could make a meat and cheese tray in no time flat and even made one that looked like a pineapple. She was a great sales person. She worked for the Cheddar Box and even owned it until it closed in 1989. Linda could sell just about anything, pickled fish, blocks of sesame seed paste (Halva), or even Limburger cheese. After the Cheddar Box, she also worked as a cook for Pioneer School, the Bismarck School Systems Central Kitchen, and eventually moved to Bismarck High in her later years. When she was a cook, she was most proud of her sales of donuts in the morning. She stated that once a person recognized her sales of donuts and wanted to know how she got the kids to purchase so many. She stated that if one was good, than three would be better. She later stated that she just “sold them.” Her best art was talking to people. She could start a conversion with anyone. Linda loved to go to the Thursday night Banquet just to meet new people. She thought it was exciting to go to see who she would meet that week. It was fascinating how she could strike up a conversation with anyone, even if they looked like they did not want to talk. She had made several friends, enjoyed just sitting and having a conversation. Linda had a way about her that put people at ease. She would also visit at the Son of Norway, Homemakers, and the Promenaders Square Dance Club. Linda was very active in her church with craft club, quilting, and assisting with funerals, she volunteered at Sanford Hospital, participated in pool exercises at Touchmark. She truly enjoyed “having coffee” at Cenex every day with her friends. They really helped her when her husband (Eldon) passed. She cherished having her friends close. Linda enjoyed her groups of friends that went out for supper on Tuesday nights. Her children thought that is was a way for either her husband or herself to get a free meal (two for ones everywhere). The theory was blown when she continued joining her friends even after Eldon was no longer here. She is survived by her two children, Shelly (Don) Van Cleve and Shannon (Melanie) Lennie; her grandchildren, Melissa, Kaylee, Noah, Madison, and Emilee; her sisters, Lois, Laura, Leona, and Loraine; brothers-in-law, Ovis, Joe, Milt, and Bob; and one sister-in-law, Diane. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon; her father, Edgar; her mother, Birdie; sister, Luella; three brothers, Leo, Charles, Vernon; brothers-in-law, Frank and Willard; and her sister-in-law, Blanche. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of Linda's favorite charities. They are Ministry on the Margins, Sanford Volunteers, or Heart River Endowment Fund.