SPENCER — Linda Sharon Riecke Conlon, 85, of Spencer, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, August 17, at Faith Lutheran Church, 2912 Hwy Blvd. in Spencer. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Ben Unseth officiating. Geelan Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Linda was born March 20, 1941, to Ray and Helen Riecke and grew up in Ruthven. She graduated from Ruthven Community School in 1959 and went on to build a life centered around her family, friendships, faith and a remarkable talent for creating things with her hands.
Linda was first married to Duane Rasmussen, and they became parents to two sons, Brian and Brad. She later married Jim Conlon, with whom she shared many years before his death in December 2020.
Professionally, Linda worked for the ASCS Office, but many people also knew her for her considerable sewing skills. She performed alterations on everything from everyday clothing to wedding gowns and was also an accomplished knitter and crafter.
Those talents became another way for Linda to connect with younger generations of her family. She enjoyed teaching crafts to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made numerous handmade pieces that became treasured family keepsakes.
Linda had an outgoing personality and an easy ability to make friends. Family members remember her as generous, loving and dependable, but also as someone who wasn’t shy about sharing what was on her mind. Her humor, honesty and strong personality helped make her memorable to the many people who knew her.
Her faith was also an important part of her life, and she was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Family remained Linda’s greatest priority. She took particular joy in watching her family grow through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Linda is survived by her sons, Brian (Mina) Rasmussen and Brad (Tori) Rasmussen; grandchildren Emily (Jesse) Zahrt, Jordon (Breanna) Rasmussen, Max (Felicia) Rasmussen and Tashina Rasmussen; great-grandchildren Angelo Rasmussen, Olivia Zahrt, Rosalie Rasmussen, Truman Rasmussen, Camdyn Zahrt, Madeline Zahrt and Zayden Rasmussen; her sister, Sandra Webster; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Conlon; her parents, Ray and Helen Riecke; and her brother, Edgar Riecke.
Geelan Funeral Home is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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