Carmen Linden

Carmen Linden, 93, of Willmar, died Friday, November 14 at Compassionate Cottages in Willmar. Her memorial service will be 11:00 am, Friday, December 5 at Assembly of God in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be 11:00 am, Monday, December 29 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. A video of her service can be found here. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Carmen Linden was born on August 15, 1932, to Neil and Mae (Haedtke) Corey in Winona, Minnesota. Her family later moved to Minneapolis, where she graduated from Marshall High School in 1950. After high school, she continued her education at the University of Minnesota, completing the Dental Hygienist program in 1952. While in college, Carmen met the love of her life, Edward Linden. They were married on February 28, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Eddie served in the Army Dental Corps. During this time, they welcomed their first child, Mark. After Eddie’s honorable discharge in 1955 from the U.S. Army, the young family settled in Clara City where they welcomed three more children: Mary (who died as a toddler), Thomas, and Jane. In 1971, they purchased a cabin near friends on Green Lake, where the family found great joy spending time together by the water every summer.

Carmen was a devoted homemaker and knew this was her true calling. She was sweet, gentle and kind, she took immense pride in raising her children, something she considered one of her greatest accomplishments. Her heart overflowed with this same love and joy for her grandchildren.

She was a member of the Willmar Assembly of God Church, loved the Lord, and served in many church and community activities. Carmen enjoyed decorating for the holidays, hosting family gatherings, having coffee with friends, traveling with Eddie, and playing games. Most of all, she treasured her family. Whether helping her grandchildren with special events and costumes, helping plan their birthday parties, or attending their recitals & sporting events, she had a gift for making everyone feel special.  She will be missed greatly by our family.

Carmen is survived by her son, Mark (Lynne) of Burnsville and their son: Ryan (Michelle) Taylor; her son, Thomas (Cindy) of Spicer and their children: Jonathan (Allie) & great grandson Luke; Amy; and Faith; and her daughter, Jane (Terry) Langeland of Eden Prairie and their children: Nolan (Emily) & great grandsons Duke, Jack; Sarah (Jonathan) Temte; Emily (Jake) Pettit; and Joshua (Taylor).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; daughter, Mary Ellen; parents, Neil and Mae; and brother, Hal.

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