Linda (Dishong) VanRavenhorst was born Dec. 9, 1950, in Fairmont, Minn., the daughter of George and Rose (Pierce) Dishong. Linda grew up in the Truman and Fairmont area and attended school in Fairmont graduating from Fairmont High School. Following her graduation, Linda attended beautician school and received her beautician license. She opened her own beauty shop in her home and owned and operated the business for many years. From an early age, Linda had a passion for helping others. This desire helped her to choose a career path in the field of corrections and probation services. Linda went on to attend college and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling.

Linda worked various jobs throughout her career. She worked in an optometry office and drove school bus for Minn. motorbus all in Fairmont. Linda also worked for Youth Services International in Elmore but always found her greatest satisfaction in helping others and being a caregiver. She was blessed with five children, Tara, Paul, Jaci, Erin, and Kirsten.

On April 29, 2005, Linda was united in marriage to Dick VanRavenhorst in Elmore, Minn. The couple blended their family and celebrated 11 years of marriage before Dick’s passing in 2016.

Linda truly treasured life and was not one to let the gifts from her Lord and Savior pass her by. She found peace in the simple things in life such as sitting around a campfire while camping with friends and family. Linda had a sarcastic sense of humor and a contagious laugh that will be forever remembered by those that loved her. She looked forward to warm summer days spent outside tending to her flower gardens around her home and trips with Dick to the tulip festival and taking road trips to new and exciting places. She and Dick shared a love of birds and enjoyed bird watching as well. Linda knew her way around the kitchen and often shared many of her favorite recipes with those she cared about the most. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter and put her artistic ability to use while taking photos.

Faith was an important part of Linda’s life. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Elmore. Linda served her church in many various roles in addition to helping as a youth leader. She had a soft spot in her heart for her fur babies and loved the companionship and unconditional love they gave her. Linda had a peace about her that made her easily approachable and brought many friends into her life. She was a sounding board for many of those friends and even some family and she shared her wisdom about life with those who asked for help. She will be greatly missed by those that loved her and called her a friend.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Tara Eisenmenger, Paul Eisenmenger (Denise), Jaci Dean (Alex), Erin Berkness (Ryan Selbrade), Kirsten Berkness (Arnulfo Giron); grandchildren, Alandra Eisenmenger, Addisen Eisenmenger, Jackson Dean, Nate Giron, Marcel Giron, and Willow Berkness; two sisters, Gloria Freitag (Dan Spitzer) and Diane Malmanger (Brad); as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, George and Rose Dishong; husband, Dick VanRavenhorst; one of her best friends, Cindy Verschelde; as well as many of her beloved fur babies.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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