Linda Ann Kern passed away peacefully at home on June 7, 2025, at the age of 70. Linda was born on October 12, 1954, to Frank and Evelyn Gilson and grew up in Brea, California. She enjoyed a happy childhood full of sunshine, dear friends and family, and her pony, Peanut. She graduated in 1972 from Red Bluff Union High School in Red Bluff, California.
Not long after, her family moved to Windom, Minnesota, where she made a home and resided until 2024. She worked as a secretary at Southwest West Central Service Cooperative for 44 years, before retiring in June 2024. While at SWWC, she made many lifelong friends who provided lots of laughter and support over the years. She was always organized, resourceful, and the fastest typist around. One of the biggest highlights in her later working years was getting to know the students at the school and sneaking treats to the therapy dogs who helped them out. In November 2024, things came full circle and she headed back to California to live with her son, Shawn, and his family.
Outside of work, she had countless hobbies and interests. Every year she looked forward to hand-sewing the most elaborate Halloween costumes for both her children and grandchildren, even if they had to be worn under winter jackets and snow pants due to the temperamental fall weather in Minnesota. She loved to keep her hands busy, cross-stitching and crocheting tiny, meticulous patterns just about every night. She loved baking trays upon trays of Christmas cookies and finding the next family-favorite recipe to win everyone over, and she had the biggest sweet tooth around.
Above all, she was a loving mother, caring grandmother, and lifelong animal lover who was selfless, patient, and endlessly kind. She had many beloved pets over the years, and was looking forward to reuniting with them on the other side.
She’s survived by her sisters, Susan Schurr of Florida and Janet (Scott) Grassmyer of Florida; her children, Shawn (Rebecca) Cary of California, Natalie (Justin) Meyers of Minnesota, and Holly (Jeremiah) Boldt of Minnesota; five grandchildren (Alex, Tristan, Dawson, Arianna, and Temperance); great-grandchildren; and her cat Rex. She’s preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Evelyn Gilson.
