Linda Batteen
Linda Batteen, 83, of Aberdeen, SD, died Monday, April 27, at home.
Linda Kay Peterson was born February 11, 1943, to Thomas & Sadie (Larson) Peterson, in Cresbard, SD. She attended country school through eighth grade. She loved math and won many math contests. Linda graduated from Cresbard High School, Cresbard, SD, in 1961. She went to the Aberdeen School of Commerce, graduating in 1962. She moved to Denver, CO, and worked for the Mobile Oil Company as a legal secretary for two years. Linda moved back to Aberdeen in 1964 and worked for the Harley Hoffman Insurance Company. Linda married Dennis Batteen on August 28, 1965. Together they moved to Vermillion, SD, where Linda worked for the Dean of the Business School at the University of South Dakota while Dennis completed his law degree. Upon Dennis’ graduation in 1966 they moved to Faulkton, SD where she managed her husband’s law office until 1987. Linda retired in 1987 when they moved to Aberdeen.
In retirement, Linda was very active in the community. She was passionate about the Aberdeen Community Theatre and was a board member for 30 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, was in the Altar Guild, enjoyed Christmas altar decorating, and was active in Circle and Women’s Bible Study. She was also a member of the CB Chapter of PEO and held all offices. Linda was a lover of fashion, a voracious reader, a lover of flowers and a world traveler. Her most memorable trips were seeing Ireland, New York City and her ancestral lands of Norway. She was artistic and creative. Her talents included ceramics, cross-stitch and decorative painting. Her greatest joy came from being Nama to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared Linda’s life are her husband Dennis Batteen; daughter Jana (Keith) Hurley; grandchildren: Eric Hurley, Kaylyn (Joe) Mehlhaff, and Keaton (Kaitlyn) Deiter; great-grandchildren Peter Melhlaff and Aurora Melhlaff; siblings: Vonnie (Jack) Boe, Gilbert ‘Gib’ (Marion) Peterson, Richard (Judie) Peterson, and Sheila (Le) Gaub; many nieces and nephews; and dear friend Norma Dennert.
Preceding Linda in death are her parents Thomas and Sadie Peterson; siblings: Dean Peterson, Harold Peterson, Bernie Williams, Arlene Mills and Gerry Bosanko; and dear friends Virgie Wagner and Linda Siefkes.