Linda Grote, Minot, was called to Heaven while in the company of her immediate family. She fought a courageous battle with cancer for the last 15 months, but succumbed to the disease peacefully and with dignity on September 14, 2011.

Linda was born 18 October, 1948 in Patterson, NJ and moved to White Plains, NY very early in life where she remained through all of her White Plains High School years. Linda also attended and graduated from the Queens Beauty Institute certified as a beautician while still a teenager. When she was in school she met and later married the love of her life, Jimmy. They were engaged on Christmas Eve and married on New Years Eve 1967, while he was on leave from an overseas assignment with the Air Force.

Linda and their only son James III joined her husband in Germany and lived in a small community outside of Hahn AFB until returning to their next assignment in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970. They later moved to Great Falls, Montana after Jimmy's tour in Vietnam where they settled for many years.

While in Montana Linda worked in retail for Montgomery Ward, enlisted and served with the Montana Air National Guard (MTANG) while maintaining her family life. Linda was assigned to an administrative position in the Security Forces Squadron which she served honorably in for 11 years achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. She resigned her position with the MTANG to move to Minot, ND in 1990, where her husband took a job with the Air National Guard, at the guard\'s Civil Engineering Technical Services Center.

Linda started working for Sears at Dakota Square Mall in Minot on May of 1990 where she remained until her health forced her to retire in 2010. During her career with Sears she moved between a few departments to allow her to diversify her experiences starting with the electronics department and ending up in the shoe department. She was known as an incredibly reliable, cheerful, and dependable employee. She ran the department as if she was an owner and wanted her co-workers to do the same.

Linda leaves behind the loves of her life her husband of 44 years James Jr., only son James III, his wife Sharlotte (Fields) whom she thought of as her daughter, and her 4 grandsons James IV, Steven E, Landon D, and Caleb A. Linda had a special bond with her younger brother Steven and his wife Shelly whom she had to be on the phone with every week, so they could watch and comment on "SURVIVOR", a tradition which went on for many years.

Linda is also survived by her beloved older sister Barbara (Tony) Fanelli from Holmes, NY, her brother-in law Richard from Joplin, Mo, sister-in-law Gloria (Marriott) from White Plains, NY, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in passing by her beloved parents Rose (Cimerola) and George Stelling, her nephews Wayne and Sal Jr., and several other aunts and uncles.

Linda loved life and especially when she was with family, whether it was fishing or just sitting around the barbecue. Linda's final days at home were spent constantly voting for "Oak Park" in the Coke contest so her grand babies would have a nice place to play while growing up.

Linda's goal in life was to spoil her grandchildren while maintaining discipline, and she always insisted the boys maintain a good attitude. Linda will be deeply missed but not forgotten by those whose lives she touched.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Graveside Service with Military Honors: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.
There will be no reviewal, however, family and friends are invited to sign the memorial register book on Saturday, September 17, 2011, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Trinity Cancer Care Center, Minot, ND.