Linda Lou Lafky, 83

Linda Lou Lafky, 83, passed away on August 29, 2022, at the LakeWood Care Center

under Hospice Red River Valley Care in Baudette, MN.

Linda was born to Oscar and Myrtle Larson from Clementson, MN. She was an

excellent student, and farm hand; Lee and Boyd’s Big sister; car hop and secretary;

1957 graduate of Baudette High School.

She became Mrs. Fred Lafky on Christmas Eve 1957 and started a family the following

year. Later, they moved to the cities for work as dual citizens of both Prior Lake and

Clementson. With their growing family, the Lafkys enjoyed most of their weekends and

vacations traveling to visit each other’s parents up north or in St. Peter, MN. Family was

most important to them.

Us Lafky kin were city kids on the farm and Mom was a farm girl in the big city. Growing

up, our door was always open to all. She was like a second mom to many. We would

joke with 2 blondes and 2 redheads the neighbor kids looked more like our parents’ kids

than we did. She was happy with that identity of a second mom, and to our parents'

credit, many of those kids are still a part of our family today. We are proud to have

shared her with you, and glad for the difference she made in your lives. The more the

merrier.

They finally moved north in 1981, reconnecting with her roots and dear lifelong friends

and neighbors. Initially, they bought her grandparents' house in town, but later

homesteaded in Clementson and built their dream home on the Larson/Eidem farm of

over a 100 years on the Rapid River.

Mom had a menagerie of chickens, birds and bunnies as well as many dogs that were

dear to her heart. She gardened, canned and worked hard to help build the home we

affectionately call the FARM. Her home forever and always!

She was a championship bowler, loved music concerts and was a bingo enthusiast. At

times, she was a bit of a gambler, but she was always lucky: Lucky Linda.

Mom had many jobs: house cleaner, resort worker, Valleyfair worker, and our favorite --

the candy factory. In Border she was a hooker: creating jigs. In Baudette, she worked at

the hospital cleaning and finally retired from Solvay Pharmaceuticals. After raising us

kids she and dad became snowbirds to Florence, Arizona. The warmth of the Arizona

sun was just what the doctor ordered. Over many years of hard work her body was full

of arthritis, yet she felt her best there and loved their home and friends in the desert. It

was her HAPPY place.

During these years she became G-MA: grandma to 8 grandkids and then 7 more great

grandchildren, who she proudly spent this 4th of July with and loved dearly.

After breaking her hip mom went to stay at the care center in Baudette, MN. She dined

with old friends and made new ones. She loved her caregivers, but always wanted to go

home to the farm.

Linda is survived by her children: Sons Delmar (Katie) Lafky, Duane Lafky: Daughters

Kris (Joe) Berthiaume and Kelli (Jeff) Pelland; Grandchildren Anna (Matt) Olson, Alison

(Clark) Johnson, and Addie (Nate) Nelson, Samuel and Benjamin Berthiaume, Matti

(Cole) Nelson and Magen Pelland; Great-Grandchildren Raegan, Porter, Lane, Levi,

Luella, Louna, and Sage. Brother Boyd (Sue) Larson; Sister-in-law Dellie Lafky; Nieces

Sandy (Lafky) Fredrichs and Karen (Lafky) Anderson, Jessie (Ike) Miller, Jody Larson,

Denise Larson, Laurie Larson; Nephews Lee Larson, Jr. and Christopher Larson; as

well as many great nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Fred, her parents Oscar T. and Myrtle

Larson; brother Leland Larson, and niece Bobbie Sue Larson.

Our lives will go on — but your death will leave a void that’s impossible to fill and difficult

to accept. You are with Jesus, healed, victorious, and finally at peace.

Love, Your Children – Kelli, Kris, Duane and Delmar.