Linda Kay McLaughlin
April 24, 1945 ~ November 6, 2022
Linda Kay McLaughlin, 77, Colton, SD, died Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital, in Sioux Falls, SD.
A Memorial Service for Linda McLaughlin will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Oldham Lutheran Church in Oldham, SD, with Pastor Wanda Beil officiating.
Linda Kay Nelson was born April 24, 1945, in Ramona, SD, to Norris and Arvilla (Houske) Nelson, where she remained an only child. She grew up with her only cousin Ron Houske, that was almost like a sibling; they shared Sunday dinners and every holiday. She grew up on a farm outside of Oldham, SD, and attended school in Oldham until she graduated high school. She attended Dakota State University in Madison, SD, for three years before marrying James McLaughlin. They had three children together and raised them in Dell Rapids, SD. She was a homemaker while raising her children and assisted her husband with his construction business.
Linda loved her dogs, enjoyed crafts, and baking, and was an avid reader. She and Russ Hartman moved to Green, Maine, where they spent 19 years, until moving back to Colton, SD, to be closer to family. Russ and Linda were together for over 30 years, and she loved being a part of the lives of his children, Steve (Wendy) Hartman, Carey (Kristina) Hartman, and Jenny Figueroa; grandchildren, Cody (Kelsey) Hartman, Cassie Hartman, Tyler (Amanda), Stephanie, Alex, Alyson, and Jessie Figueroa; and one great-grandson, Riggen. She enjoyed the beauty of Maine and cherished the great friendships she developed while living there. Linda had a heart of gold but always remained very stoic and didn’t always express how much she loved her friends and family.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Shelly (McLaughlin) Gonsalves; her son, Allen McLaughlin; and her boyfriend, Russ Hartman, Colton, SD; grandchildren, Cole (Ashley) McLaughlin, Corde (Bri) McLaughlin, Cade McLaughlin, Kesha McLaughlin, Garrett Patrick, and Natasha and Natalie Gonsalves; great-grandchildren, Kaeden, Kale, Aubrey, Maddax, Paxton, and Dexton McLaughlin, and Arabella Blake, that she loved very much.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Norris (Arvilla) Nelson; and her son, Terry McLaughlin.
I will miss you my friend!!!!!
Russ, We are so sorry for the loss of your long time partner, Linda. Sincere condolences.
Nancy Dickinson and Patrick Traut
RIP.