Linda Skarnagel

Linda J. Skarnagel, 59, of Fargo, ND, died Sunday, February 27, 2011, at her home after a battle with cancer. Linda Joy Skarnagel was born on February 24, 1952, in Madison, SD, to Lola and Kenneth Christianson. She grew up in Brookings, SD, and attended Brookings High School. She married Paul Arlin Skarnagel on February 28, 1971. The couple lived in Brookings, until Paul’s graduation from SDSU, and they moved to Lidgerwood, ND, where their first son, Jesse Paul, was born in Hankinson, ND. They moved to Hecla, SD, and their second son, Peter Arlin, and daughter, Carissa Jo, were born in Britton, SD. In 1978, the family moved to Groton, SD. Linda attended Northern State University to fulfill her life-long goal of becoming a teacher and she graduated with honors. Linda was a member Peace Lutheran Church. She was actively involved with her children’s activities as a Sunday school teacher, 4H leader, Job’s Daughters, and Groton’s Ice Carnival. She supported her children in all of their activities and attended all baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, band, and choir events. Linda was very talented and enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, and painting and was always busy with a craft project. She was kind and compassionate to all animals, which is carried on by her grandchildren. She especially loved and cared for many cats and loved her faithful friends, Barney and Lyle. As an active teacher, Linda held many interesting teaching positions. She was head educator at a Hutterite Colony and an ESL educator in Fargo. Her final position was an English language specialist at Circle of Nation Native American School in Wahpeton, ND. Linda especially enjoyed caring for and visiting with her family and was a happy, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed family get togethers and was a very entertaining host. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Christianson; father-in-law, Arlin Skarnagel; and nephew, Jon Christianson. Linda is survived by her husband, Paul; sons, Jesse (Michelle) and Peter; daughter, Carissa (Jon); grandchildren, Ethan and Isabelle Skarnagel; Jakob, Marcus and Maggie Iverson; parents, Don and Lola Stampe of Brookings, SD; mother-in-law, Marian Skarnagel; siblings, Sharan Egeberg (Ron); Bob Christianson (Denise); Sandra Beck (Jim); Keith Christianson (Sue); Lori Nelson (Greg); sisters-in-law, Arlene (CJ) Lenzo; Julie Skarnagel; special niece, Elizabeth Wegleitner; step-siblings, David, Ken, Daryl and Ronda Vostad; along with numerous nieces and nephews who she loved. Funeral Services: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 3:00 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. Visitation: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, from 5:30-7:30 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, with a Prayer Service following at 7:30 pm. A burial will take place at a later date at Veblen Cemetery, Veblen, SD.