Kurt August Linder's Obituary
Kurt August Linder, age 101, of Ellensburg, WA passed away on September 2, 2017 at Pioneer Place Memory Haven in Tacoma, WA due to complications caused by Dementia.
Kurt was born in Stanton, Nebraska on September 16, 1916 to parents, Karl and Emily Linder, who had migrated to the US from Switzerland. In his youth, he worked on the family farm and excelled in his school studies as well as in basketball and football. After graduation from high school in 1934, he joined the US Navy. Serving in the Pacific Fleet, prior to and during World War II, Kurt served as a gunner’s mate on the USS Pyro, as a deep sea ship diver at Pearl Harbor and Guam Naval Base, and as a carpenter with US Navy Construction Battalion (CBs) in the Pacific War theater. He received several commendations for his dedication and bravery. Kurt’s military service included active and reserve duty, earning him retirement as a Warrant Officer in the US Navy. After his discharge from active service, he ventured into the automotive repair business, then into construction and heavy equipment operation. He joined the WA State Department of Transportation and eventually retired after 25 years as a Superintendent of Highways in both the Snoqualmie and Ellensburg Districts. During this time, he purchased the 4L Bar Cattle Ranch in the Reecer Creek area of the Kittitas Valley to raise Black Angus cattle. The discipline and patriotism he learned while growing up and serving his country never left him as family and friends will testify. He was active in community events and was honored many times by the Ellensburg Rodeo Board for his and his brother’s years of volunteer service during the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo.
Kurt was married to Lillian Irene Davis on May 17, 1948. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before Lillian passed away on August 6, 1998. In 2004, Kurt married Sandra Johnson from Ellensburg who passed away in June of 2012.
Kurt is survived by two sons, John H. Linder and Marci Sherwood-Linder from Honolulu, HI and Bill K. Linder from Sacramento, CA; three grandchildren, John H. Linder Jr. and Justin D. Born of New York City, Jennie M. and Fallon Kelly of Olympia, WA and Emmalee A. and Todd Holmstedt of Seattle, WA; two step-sons Roy and Vicki Davis, and Ralph and Janet Davis both of Tacoma, WA with ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He proved, for so many years to be a wonderful family provider and a dear friend to so many.
The family of Kurt Linder wishes to thank all personnel at Pioneer Place Memory Haven in Tacoma, WA for the loving care and attention provided to Kurt during his four year stay at the facility.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 1 PM at the Ellensburg IOOF Cemetery at 1900 Brick Rd in Ellensburg. Officiating will be Chaplin Janine Yoder of Ellensburg. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mountain View Funeral Home in Tacoma, WA.
A reception for friends and family will be held after the service starting a 3 PM at the Hal Holmes Community Center, 209 N. Ruby St. in Ellensburg. Please join the family to remember Kurt “KA” Linder.
In lieu of flowers, please give to the Friends of the Friends of the Kittitas County Fair Grounds Foundation in memory of Kurt. Please send your donations to:
Kurt A Linder Memorial Fund
c/o Friends of the Kittitas County Fair Grounds Foundation
PO Box 1354
Ellensburg, WA 98926
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