Linda Lee Anderson

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Linda Lee (Rekstad) Anderson, 78, of Largo, Florida passed away peacefully on October 3, 2018 at her home in the Heritage Presbyterian Apartments.  She was born in Pipestone, Minnesota on February 25, 1940, and grew up in Garretson, South Dakota, graduating from Garretson High School in 1958.  The only daughter among three brothers, she was the “apple” of her father, Orville’s, eye.  A beautiful young girl, her picture won a local competition as model inspiration for the artist who created the Sunbeam Bread Girl logo.  Linda highlighted her beautiful voice in high school singing a professional radio jingle with a quartet called the “Sugartones.”

She attended South Dakota State University in Vermillion, South Dakota before transferring to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  She married Glenn A. Anderson of Sioux Falls (later divorced) and delayed her own college and career to raise a family.  She lived across the Midwest: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sioux City, Iowa; and Anderson, Indiana before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1975.  She eventually completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Tampa College in Tampa, Florida, in 1994.

Linda found joy in helping others and became a case manager for Goodwill Industries assisting white collar criminals on their path back into society.  She had many lifelong friends that she kept in close contact with over the years.  She had a “green thumb” and enjoyed gardening and plants.  Linda especially loved cats having raised and owned many over the years.  She could always see the best in people and had a positive “cup half full” mentality that guided her.  Linda was very patriotic and took an active role in recognizing American soldiers who lost their lives defending our country and our allies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville J. and (Minnie) Iverna (Kammerud) Rekstad of Garretson, South Dakota.  Linda is survived by her brothers, Ron Rekstad (Glenda) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Steve Rekstad (Joyce) of Menifee, California, Bruce Rekstad (Karen) of Garretson, her sons, Kyle Anderson (Debbie) of Olympia, Washington and Adam Anderson (Jacquelyn) of Wesley Chapel, Florida as well as four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A memorial to her life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, 212 Center Avenue, Garretson, South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1:00 pm.  Memorial arrangements are being made through Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson, South Dakota.