Linda M. Harding

Linda M. Harding, 84, of Lindsborg, KS, and formerly of Abilene, KS, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024, surrounded by family at Bethany Home, Lindsborg.

Linda was born on November 25, 1939, in Lindsborg, KS, the daughter of Carl Martin “Haggie” and Emily Mercedes (Train) Hagstrand. She graduated from Lindsborg Rural High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Bethany College. She later received her master’s degree from Kansas State University. Linda began her elementary teaching career in Colby, KS, and taught kindergarten for 24 years at Rural Center Elementary School near Abilene, KS, before retiring in 1999. 

On July 30, 1961, Linda married Bruce Lee Harding in Lindsborg. This union was blessed with three children, Troy, Katrina, and Inga. 

Linda and Bruce lived in Abilene, KS, for 40 years, where they were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Linda belonged to many community, church, and volunteer groups. Her children are in awe of her silent giving, recalling how she regularly visited people in nursing homes as far back as they can remember. Other examples of her volunteer work include delivering Meals on Wheels, teaching Sunday school, and directing the children’s choir. 

She enjoyed biking, walking, swimming, and hiking. She participated in Biking Across Kansas 14 times. 

Linda and Bruce loved to travel. Over the years, they visited every state and many Canadian provinces, camping on most of those trips. They explored many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Linda’s sister Sarah and brother-in-law Bob were frequent travel companions. 

Proud of her Swedish heritage, Linda embraced Swedish traditions and foods, especially around the holidays. It took her family many years to convince her that Christmas could be celebrated without the smell of lutefisk. She was very knowledgeable about her family history, including släkt to släkt. This fed into her deep knowledge of Lindsborg’s history. She convinced her children that we are connected to everyone who has ever lived in the Lindsborg area, and she could tell you how. 

Growing up in Lindsborg, music was always part of her life. She enjoyed singing and playing bells in the church choirs. She sang in the local presentation of Handel’s Messiah for 38 years.

In 2008, her life came full circle when she and Bruce moved back to Lindsborg, where she continued her active life. She dove headfirst into all things Swedish and community. Linda was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was proud to be a docent at the Sandzén Gallery. 

Linda faced challenges head-on. Her mother died when she was twelve years old, but Linda persevered and excelled in her education and career. In midlife, she survived breast cancer but refused to let that define her or slow her down. In the last twelve years of life, she battled Parkinson's disease. Even then, she tried to stay active. Remarkably, she continued riding her recumbent trike around town until she moved into Bethany Home in 2023. 

Survivors include her loving husband of 62 years, Bruce; three children, Troy Harding (Nancy) of Salina, KS, Katrina McGee of Cortez, CO, and Inga Craig (Danny) of Grants Pass, OR; a sister, Sarah (Robert) Sandquist of Newton, IA; seven grandchildren, Kirsten Harding McClintock (Matt), Erik Harding (Megan), Katlynn McGee Larson (Jason), Konnar McGee, Mason Craig, Annika Craig, and Grant Prichard (Hannah); and seven great-grandchildren, Quinn, Wesley, and Eva Harding, Hanley and Ailey McClintock, Jaxon Larson, and Cooper Prichard. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl “Haggie” and Mercedes Hagstrand, and son-in-law, Karl McGee. 

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N. Main St., Lindsborg. A private graveside service will be at the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please CLICK HERE 

Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, Bethany Village, or Sandzen Art Gallery in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.