Obituary: Mary “Linda” Gardner
Mary “Linda” Gardner, age 79 of Rhinelander, passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff. Mary was born March 11, 1939, in Mauston, to the late John and Virginia (Babcock) Gardner. She was married to Ronald Kolinski in 1958 and later married Kenneth Dibbles.
Linda was a high school graduate of P. J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point. After high school, Linda married Ron and they lived in Whiting for some time and then moved to Rhinelander. Linda was a devoted homemaker who lovingly raised her six children. She later worked at the Bump Clinic for a few years and also the Koinonia halfway house. She became very involved with the 12-Step Program which truly enriched her life. Linda was known to open her home to people in the program who needed a safe place to stay and a place to hopefully heal. She felt this to be her true mission; to be helpful to those who needed another chance and had nowhere to go. Linda enjoyed dancing, reading, crocheting and knitting. She loved getting together with family and friends for potlucks, camping, and bonfires.
She is survived by four daughters, Karen (Bryan) Dahlen, Gail (Theo) Kock, Kim (John) Huebner and Christine (Mike) Leduc; two sons, Michael (Esther) Kolinski and Scott (Patty) Kolinski; two stepsons, Jimmy (Tami) Dibbles and Tommy Dibbles; two brothers, Jack (Phyllis) Gardner and Terrance (Sandy) Gardner; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, John and Virginia; her first husband, Ron; her second husband, Ken; and one Brother, Denny.
Memorial Services for Mary “Linda” Gardner will be held Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at the Church of Christ in Rhinelander, at 11 a.m. Generations Funeral Home and Crematory of Tomahawk is assisting the family. View Linda’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Oneida County Humane Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. (Generations Funeral Home)
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