Otilie Johanne (Sortland) Linnerud's Obituary
Otilie Johanne (Sortland) Linnerud passed away on December 27, 2020, at the Tacoma Lutheran Home, at the age of 95. She is now in heaven with her Lord and Savior and reunited with her beloved husband Martin, family and dear friends, who have gone before her.
Born in the Lofoten Islands of Norway , Otilie later moved with her family to Jørpeland , on the west coast of Norway, when she was 11 years old . On July 27, 1946 she married Pastor Martin Linnerud and they immigrated to the United States in 1949. Over the next 30 years, Martin pastored several Norwegian immigrant churches in Brooklyn, NY, West Orange, NJ and Tacoma, WA. They permanently settled in Tacoma in 1972. Known affectionately as " Lillemor ” by family and friends ( which translates to “little mother" in Norwegian), Otilie lovingly devoted her life to her husband, her four children and three grandchildren. She was an excellent cook, especially when preparing traditional Norwegian foods. She was also a skilled knitter, seam stress and enjoyed needlepoint. She enjoyed entertaining and hosting visitors from Norway. She passed on many Norwegian traditions and her love of Norway, to her children and grandchildren. We will miss her but she will live on in our hearts and memories forever.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Martin, who passed away in 2008; her son Arne Linnerud; and her brothers Kurt Sortland and Daniel Sortland.
She is survived by her three children, Rita Linnerud , Irene (Richard) Westgard and Paul (Tami) Linnerud ; three grandchildren, Chris (Alyssa) Famy , Kristina (Patricio) Kong, Michelle (Markus) Schroeder; and three great-grandchildren, Henry and Elliott Famy and Maya Kong .
A private graveside memorial will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home on January 7, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, Resident Care Fund. 1301 N Highlands Pkwy, Tacoma, WA 98406.
What’s your fondest memory of Otilie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Otilie?
Share a story where Otilie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Otilie you’ll never forget.
How did Otilie make you smile?