Linda Lund

MADISON - Linda Carol Lund, age 80, of Madison, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Complete Care (formerly, SSM Health St. Mary's Care Center). She was born on June 24, 1944, in Madison, the daughter of John and Olga (Lehman) Lund.

Her life began on the farm near Mount Horeb, but her family soon thereafter moved to Madison on the near east side in the Olbrich neighborhood. She attended Lowell School, was a school crossing safety guard and won the 6th grade spelling bee championship. She joined the Girl Scouts. Her love of music began at a young age. She started piano lessons at age 7, joined the church choir at Trinity Lutheran Church where she and her family were members, and played violin in the orchestra during her East High School years. Even into her 20's she continued lessons in violin with Pearl Gunderson in Monona, all along practicing piano daily on her own time.

She graduated from East High School and went on to attend both Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and UW-Platteville.

Linda had several different jobs in her 20's and early 30's. She was employed as a CNA, a typist, a sales clerk and a secretary all in Madison. She loved to bake, knit, do needlepoint work, swim, play tennis, ice skate, travel, take walks, attend church, play the violin, play the piano and spend time with her pets, children, friends and her family.

During these young adult years without her knowledge, nor her family’s, Linda very slowly was beginning to lose her ability to think clearly, to understand and interact with the world around her. Her life grew more difficult as her mental illness progressed. Over the course of many years’ time, she had deteriorated to the point that, with the help of Dane County Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit, she entered the University of Wisconsin Hospital Psychiatric Unit in her early 40's. She remained there for three months in the care of Director Dr. Warren Olson, and attending physician, Dr. Ed Pardon, along with the rest of their excellent healthcare team. Linda now was able to begin her long road to recovery. Her world began to open up to her again.

She left the hospital and entered the half-way house on Madison's near eastside, Women In Transition (WIT), run at that time by Director Kathy Lemke. Here Linda was given a safe place to live with direction, encouragement and help for her long road ahead. She remained in the group home for two years, then moved into a shared apartment in the building next door for another two years. Linda's social worker assigned to her during this time was Becky Himmerich Kelly who worked with Linda those four years at WIT and many years beyond under their satellite program. Thank you, Becky, for all of your good work.

Throughout all of her years after her mental illness diagnosis of schizophrenia, Linda was followed by her psychiatrists, Dr. Kim Nestler, Dr. Vonk, Dr. Schoup, Dr. Sheila Thakor and just recently Dr. Karen Milner, through The Mental Health Center of Dane County, more recently named Journey Mental Health. The consistent and good care Linda received through them has been incredible. She flourished under that care and it continued throughout her life to help her achieve a full and quality life.

At the end of Linda's hospitalization and diagnosis, she was recommended for several community support programs listed below. She participated under the guidance of her social worker, Becky Himmerich Kelly, in conjunction with the programs staff.

--Yahara House (formerly known as Support Network). Thank you to Mike Edwards, Roger Backes, Steve Gustofsen and Diane Maratz.

--Chrysalis, Inc. Thank you to Kristy, Julianne, Diane, Sally, Lori and Jessica.

--Meriter Hospital's Grow Program

These programs played an important role in helping Linda rebuild her life over the next few years.

After her four years at WIT's housing, the next step in Linda's recovery was about to begin. This was a step to more self-care and independence, again, under the recommendation and guidance of her social worker she was able to acquire an apartment of her own at Capital Center Apartments downtown just off the square. This was a move into a community of people she would see routinely, most of which happened through the Madison Senior Center just next door to the apartment building. Here she made many new and long-term friends. One meal a day she was given there in exchange for volunteering her time, whether serving up food, clean-up after or just playing the piano for the others to enjoy. Some days she would deliver a meal to someone back in the apartment building. Also, it wasn't unusual for her to buy groceries at the next door market and deliver them to someone up in the apartment building.

Linda's family would like to thank Dr. David Walther, Dr. John Temprano, Dr. Maureen Mullins, Dr. Brenda Jenkins, Dr. Karen Brungard, Dr. Briana Jelenc, NP Rhonda Heise and NP Allison Dyrek. Also, the Drs., RNs and staff of the UW Hospital and Clinics, Meriter Unity Point Hospital, Stoughton Hospital Geriatric Psych., and Oakwood Village East Rehab. The healthcare workers we have in Dane County, Wis., are absolutely the best in the whole world. They gave Linda excellent care and we as a family will be forever grateful for that.

Linda accepted her limitations while showing a quiet courage to move forward with her life. She had a good sense of humor, was a kind, honest, trustworthy, caring, sensitive, gentle soul who never complained about others, was aware of their feelings, accepted people for who they were, and was always thankful for what she had. She enjoyed her volunteer work at Bethel Lutheran Church, the Salvation Army, and the Madison Senior Center downtown. She was an exceptional piano player who loved playing more than anything else. It brought her happiness, contentment and a peace of mind. She shared it with many people many times including Quaker House Senior Living on Olin Avenue in Madison. People often remarked at SMCC "Linda's so good at remembering names!"

From her youth growing up in Madison's Olbrich neighborhood, Linda came full circle when she was given her room in the Olbrich Neighborhood unit of St. Mary's Care Center 15 years ago. The wonderful and good quality of life she had there was somewhat unexpected. It met her needs though. The staff, health caregivers, volunteers and other residents became her family. She was in a safe place and she received care of the mind, body and spirit. Each and every one of the workers at SMCC deserve an individual heartfelt thank you. You know who you are. Linda and her family want you to know how very much we appreciate you and all that you did for Linda during those years. SMCC gave Linda excellent care and we thank you.

Linda is survived by her sister, Kris (Tom) Kesselhon; three nieces, Heidi Elmer-Beck, Lori Minter and Jennifer Redell; grand nieces and nephews; and many other relatives here and abroad in Norway and Switzerland.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Rachel; and brother-in-law, Fred Elmer.

A special thank you to her cousins, Karen Richards and Barb Judd, for all your love.

Linda will be laid to rest next to her parents at West Blue Mounds Lutheran Cemetery with a private family burial at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420