Linda Hesterly

VERONA-Linda Ruth (Dahlen) Hesterly, age 62, of Verona, grew her wings on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, and took flight to Heaven after a long and courageous fight with cancer. She was born onMay 30, 1952, in Edgerton, to parents, Harold and Lou Ceil (Carlson) Dahlen. Linda passed away peacefully in her sleep, in the beautiful home she shared with her loving husband, David. They married at Grace Lutheran Church in Cambridge on April 6, 1974, and celebrated 40 years together earlier this year with her family. Linda's love was never-ending. She was a lover of all of God's creatures, and aimed to save as many lives as she could. This was evident in her personal life, and line of work. Linda graduated from Cambridge High School in 1970, then went on to graduate from Madison Area Technical College and received her License in Practical Nursing in 1973. She dedicated the last two and a half decades of her life to caring for others while working at Four Winds Manor in Verona. Linda and her husband spent many years raising their four beautiful children, as well as rescuing animals and giving them homes when no one else would. She cared for so many lives in all of her years on earth. Linda was an exceptional and beautiful wife and mother, sister, daughter and friend. She was the shining example of an angel here on earth. She never spoke ill of anyone, and loved as purely as possible. Her physical presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Linda is deeply loved and will serve as an example of strength, courage and love to all. We know she will continue to watch over all of us, as she always has. Even in her last days, Linda never worried about herself; only of her family and pets. She never complained of her struggles to others and always made sure that everyone else was okay. She has made an impact on every person she has met, and she will forever remain a glimmering light in the heart of all. Linda is survived by her husband, David Hesterly; three sons, Brian (Stacy) Hesterly, Andrew (Violy) Hesterly, and Nicholas (Emily) Hesterly; daughter, Kelsey (Nathan) Dolezel; eight grandchildren, Devan and Angelina Hesterly, Veronica Backus, Drake and Teagan Dolezel, Keane Hesterly, Elijah Hesterly, and step-grand-daughter, Rebecca Krantz. She is further survived by her mother, Lou Ceil Dahlen; siblings, Jerald (Juany) Dahlen, Roald (Mary) Dahlen, and Julie Dahlen; mother-in-law, Phyllis Hesterly; brother-in-law, Jim (Patti) Hesterly; and sisters-in-law, Yvonne Slusser, Jo Anne Lalley and Kathy (Mark) Zingg. Linda is welcomed into Heaven by her father, Harold, who passed away in February 2005. Services will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Rd, Fitchburg, at Noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, with Pastor Rich Johnson presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A memorial fund will be created in her honor. Information can be found on Facebook group "In Loving Memory of Linda Hesterly" or by email at LindaHesterlyMemorial@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Linda Hesterly Memorial Fund at any BMO Harris location. "Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now, He set me free."