Shared by Linda's friend Shirley Biesel.
Linda and I were roommates in Beloit when she was taking LPN classes at VoTech school in Beloit.
The first time I "met" her, I had just moved into the little apartment across the hall from her. I'd only been there a couple of days when I had a knock in the door. Upon opening the door, Linda walked in, looked the place all over, then, at the door, said, "I used to live here. I just wondered if you'd changed anything." And that was it!! A couple of days later, I needed to go back to my parent's house to get a few things, so hoping to get to know her, I knocked on her door and asked if she'd like to ride along...and the rest is history! We spent so much time together, almost like sisters. I moved into her apartment about 7 months later when our then roommates moved out. I have so many memories! I loved her big smile, her laugh, her big heart...and her uncanny ability to think she could drive forever when her gas gauge said "E." Several nights, about 11:30-12:00, I'd get a call, "I ran out of gas...can you come and get me?" She was a CNA at the Beloit hospital and had just gotten off work. Later on, we laughed so hard about those times.
We played Nerts on the floor with friends, and I loved it when she'd win! Big smiles, laughs, and clapping her hands like she could hardly contain herself.
I've never been to call people much, but Linda would call periodically and we'd talk usually an hour and a half! The years would just fall away.
Linda was a wonderful cook, and we shared lots of recipes, some she said her family really liked.
I'm really struggling knowing she's gone. I was able to go see her December 28. We had such a nice visit...lots of big hugs, smiles, laughter. It was wonderful, and she was having a good day.
I loved Linda so, and as I write this, the tears are streaming down my face...I just can't stop them. I loved her so...