Linda Ruth Smallidge, 65, passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2025. A gathering to honor her life will be held on the morning of September 27, 2025 at Crossroads Evangelical Covenant Church, 17445 Notre Dame Street NE, Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visitation from 9:00 – 10:00 with a service starting at 10:00 followed by a pancake brunch.
Linda was born on April 29, 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shortly thereafter the family moved to St. Paul Park, then Austin, then Owatonna, then back to St. Paul Park and finally Stacy, Minnesota. During her junior and senior high school years, Linda played the flute and piccolo and graduated from Forest Lake Senior High School in 1978. After graduation, she attended Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern – St. Paul) and received a one-year Bible Certificate.
She graduated from the Anoka Surgical Technologist Program in 1991 and began working at District Memorial Hospital in Forest Lake. She moved to Hawaii (always a dream of hers) when she took a position at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu. During the 20 years that Linda worked there, she was instrumental in helping set up their endoscopy and bariatric surgical practice.
Linda accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a very young age. During high school she was very active in Young Life, wanting to bring other youth to know Jesus, and also supported their work while she lived in Hawaii. She was active in church life in Minnesota and Hawaii and had recently joined the Catholic church in Cambridge. She was intentional about being kind to many, including those who were considered outcasts and rejected by others.
Linda is survived by her mother Ruth Smallidge, her brother Bill (Jan) Smallidge and their children Savannah and Serenna and great-nephews Gabriel and Isaiah and great-niece Aurora, her sister Susan (Bryan) Hammes and their daughter Marilla, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father.
Linda loved animals (especially cats and birds), miniature tea sets, teapots, flowers, music from the 70’s and 80’s, pancakes with syrup and anything purple. During the last few years of her life, Linda had many health issues (physical, mental and emotional) and did what she could to live her life to the best of her ability. If you know someone who struggles with hoarding or other mental health issues, please help them find resources for healing.
We are so sorry to hear about Linda’s death. She was a dear person, and so committed to the Lord. She was a faithful volunteer leader for the Young Life ministry in Forest Lake back in the 1970s. Please let me/us know when there is a service for her. We will plan to attend.
Thanks!
Although I only got to meet Linda online, I found her to be a such lovely lady. I am so sorry for your loss!
I am so sorry to hear that Linda passed. We became friends through Instagram, video chats, and our mutual love of The Chosen (and actor Shahar Isaac). In the time that I knew Linda she became a very good friend who I find myself missing greatly and am saddened that I will not be able to come for an in-person visit with her. I pray that she knew how much her friendship meant to me. I have to keep reminding myself that I can no longer pick up the telephone to call her for our weekly video chats, our many text messages, and I miss her comments on my posts. Her friendship felt as if it was always a part of my life. Her humor and intelligence made her a unique soul in this world.
I enjoyed our talks about our faith lives, about the saints, about the history of the Catholic Church, and our mutual devotions to Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and of course St. Peter.
Linda was the main reason that I got through having my cat pass in my arms, losing my long term job, and losing my rental home. She was there for me every step of the way.
There are so many Chosen fans who are praying for her and saddened to her that she passed. She left a big hole in not only my life but the lives that she touched in the online communities. I know that my life is blessed to have known Linda.
Wow, I’m just seeing this now. I missed seeing Linda on Facebook and wondered why. Very sad to learn of her passing. She was a lovely, kind person. So pleased to learn she had joined the Catholic Church in Cambridge.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her.
Linda and I shared a love of cats and managed through the years, beginning at school and YL involvement, to stay in touch through FB, phone calls and Perkins brunch. I enjoyed her sharing of family and crazy cat antics as well as the infectious Linda smile! We will meet again🌻