Barbara Link passed away peacefully surrounded by love on September 21 st 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Link who passed away 3 years ago.
Barb and Ken met in their senior year at Alleman High School in Rock Island Illinois in chemistry class. Ken loved chemistry, Barb not so much 🙂
Their first date was Barb painting a number on Ken’s motorcycle for an upcoming race. This courtship was full of dates bowling, ice skating on frozen creeks, movies. While courting, Ken attended Saint Ambrose University while Barb attended Marycrest College both in Davenport Iowa.
Ken often exclaimed “she’s the only woman for me” – a sentiment he continued throughout their life together. They were married October 4 th , 1953 in Rock Island, IL at the family church, Sacred Heart Catholic church. October 2023 would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
In 1952, Ken joined the Navy and served in Korea as a medic – Barb worked at John Deere until moving to Lansing for the birth of their first child, Leah and son Kurt. Ken worked as a Railroad Detective in the Quad Cities (Moline IL, Rock Island IL, Davenport IA and Bettendorf IA) during the birth of their son, Kendall, in Rock Island, IL. Daughter Karen was born after they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ken joined the Border Patrol and the family moved to Harlingen Texas where son Frank was born. The Family transferred to Wolf Point, MT where youngest daughter Diane was born. Barb worked for numerous years at Citizens First National Bank and then shifted to her dream job at the Roosevelt County Library where she eventually retired. Ken retired from Border Patrol and began work as a Montana Brand Inspector. He continued his career by joining Alaska’s Fish and Game Department, during which he participated in the Valdez Oil Spill cleanup efforts. Subsequently, Ken joined the Alaska Prison system. After supporting the prison system for years, Ken finally “retired again and came home”.
Mom and Dad shared so many interests. Both loved action movies, Mom crime and mysteries, Dad historical and western documentaries. Both loved animals, Dad loved horses and dogs. Mom loved horses, and cats. Both loved reading – Dad loved non-fiction, Mom loved fiction. Mom loved gardening, bird feeders and tinkering in the yard, Dad not so much 🙂 Dad loved Mom’s cooking – family favorite quote was “I would have married her just for her gravy” Mom was an accomplished artist and art was a large part of her life – painting, sketching, drawing – using all media. Mom enjoyed sewing, needlework, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Dad had a keen eye for detail and was known to point out inaccuracies in movies, mostly westerns, regarding firearms and horse tack. Mom was master cribbage player and taught her children the art as well. Quite the cribbage tournaments in the Link house. Dad was an accomplished horseman and loved roping with his buddies.
Mom and Dad enjoyed the Wolf Point Community for over 62 years 🙂 The family were members of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Barb and Ken were preceded in death by their parents, Ted and Bertha Bonggren, Clifford and Nellie Link, daughter Leah and son Kendall. Barb is survived by her sister Carolyn and brothers John and Ron. Ken is survived by his brother Morrie. Barb and Ken are survived by sons Kurt (Audrey) and Frank and daughters Karen and Diane, 8 grandchildren and 8 1/2 great-grandchildren.
An extended heartfelt thank you to the staff, nurses and doctors of Trinity Hospital for the care of Mom and Dad. Our deepest gratitude to the caretakers (Mom called them “her little angels”) and staff at the Faith Lutheran Home for your endless caring and compassion for Mom during her extended stay there.
A luncheon will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point, Montana at 12:30p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, following the luncheon, a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.