Linda Nerstad Kemp, of Spring Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024. Linda’s warm spirit was brought into this world on the frosty morning of January 9, 1952. Linda was raised on the family farm outside Spring Grove with her five brothers and sisters by their loving parents James and Edith Nerstad. Linda was a proud farm girl and loved caring for the animals and helping with chores. She especially loved the baby lambs and the farm dog Shep. Linda attended Spring Grove Public School where she was active in 4-H, plays, band and choir. As one of the four graduation speakers in 1970, she quoted a speech the choir director Almore Mathsen had given to the students, by telling her fellow graduates to “Go out and raise a little hell.”
After high school Linda attended Winona State and then Luther College where she studied Biology and Anthropology and broadened her horizons. After graduating from Luther College Linda went back to school in Rochester to get a nursing degree and that would be her career for years to come. Later Linda was a Labor and Delivery nurse at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse and would take care of thousands of mothers and their newborn babies. During those years Linda enjoyed many fun adventures with friends and took an extended European trip with her sister Liz where they visited distant relatives and saw the ancestral farm in Norway and also traveled through England, Scotland, France and Germany.
In 1979 Linda married Mark Haakenstad, which led to the birth of her two beloved children, Hannah and Carl. Linda raised her two children on the farm before moving with them into town. In 1992 she met Steve Kemp during a play at the Ye Olde Opera House and they were married in 1993, which brought Steve’s two kids, Christopher and Becca into the family.
Linda was a dedicated and loving mother to her kids and loved spending time with her grandchildren Kaya, Rio, Gracie and Gabe, and attending their sporting events and plays. She was an avid vegetable and flower gardener and her yard full of flowers was beloved by everyone who was lucky enough to see it. After their kids grew up, Linda and Steve were involved with many community groups and initiatives in and around Spring Grove. Linda was instrumental with the start of the Bluff Country Artist’s Gallery and the Bird Trail and was also involved with the Houston County DFL, church choir, Giants of the Earth Heritage Center, and the Ye Olde Opera House. Linda was a caring soul who always tried to help others and make the world a better place and now it is up to us to continue this important work in her memory.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents James and Edith Nerstad, her brothers Ron and John Nerstad, and recently by her husband of 31 years, Steve Kemp. Her smile, wisdom, and loving nature will be truly missed by all who knew her.
A funeral service for Linda Nerstad Kemp will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minn., on Sunday, October 27 with a visitation from 2-3 and service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers consider a memorial donation which will be given to charity in Linda’s spirit.
Leave a Reply