Linda G. Larkin
Linda G. Larkin of Menomonie, died peacefully on March 22, 2015 after a courageous battle with COPD. She was 77.
Linda Gayle Skidmore was born October 30, 1937 in Shamrock, TX, to Ben and Euphle (King) Skidmore. She was graduated from Shamrock High School in 1956. She attended Oklahoma State University and was graduated in 1960 with a B.A. in English. She taught English in the Oklahoma City public school system for two years. She returned to Oklahoma State, earning her Masters’ Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1964 while working full time for the Dean of Women’s office. During this time she met her husband, Joe Larkin.
Linda and Joe were married in 1966 in Shamrock and moved to Menomonie where she began teaching English at Menomonie Junior and Senior High School. Education was her life’s passion. In her 29 year teaching career she taught students grammar, writing, literature, poetry, and occupational English. She enjoyed helping students get into college and put their best face forward to get jobs. She served as the English department chairwoman for several years and was the advisor of the Menomonie High School chapter of the National Honor Society. When she retired from teaching in 1995, Linda left thousands of students better prepared to “Say what you have to say as simply as possible without sacrificing clarity,” the motto that adorned the wall in her classroom.
In addition to her work at Menomonie High School, Linda was a very active member of the communities of Menomonie and Dunn County. She volunteered with several organizations including the Red Cross, United Way, literacy education for the incarcerated, and the Institute for Learning in Retirement. She was active in civil government, with her proudest accomplishment being her work in helping clean the air for all through a city ordinance banning smoking in public buildings, including restaurants. Linda also performed for years in the choir and taught religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Linda pursued a lifelong education, taking courses in foreign language, computers, and writing well into retirement. She loved birds, traveling, needlepoint, reading, writing, and was always eager to join a card game of any kind.
Above all, she treasured time with her family—her husband, Joe; her son, Kevin, and his wife Heidi Hase; her son Jerry and wife Julie (McCarthy), and her grandsons, Kieran, Sean, and Brendan, whom she left behind. She always had a bright light and glowing smile for her grandsons and cherished the uniqueness of each. Rarely did she need to be asked before showing pictures of them.
She is also survived by her brother, Van Skidmore, and sister Sherri (Skidmore) Maines. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Jane (Skidmore) Rowe.
There will be a visitation at Rhiel Funeral Home, 2317 Schneider Ave SE Menomonie, on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 4pm to 7pm, and a Mass to celebrate her life at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 910 Wilson Ave, Menomonie, on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 11:00am with an hour visitation before.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Menomonie, is serving the family.