Linda L. Mork
Linda L. Mork, 82, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Linda Luella Emery was born on November 22, 1942, to William “Bill” and Marjorie (Hemen) Emery in Aberdeen, SD. The eldest of three children, Linda grew up on the family farm near Barnard, SD. She attended schools in Barnard and graduated from Barnard High School in 1960.
After high school, Linda attended the School of Commerce for bookkeeping. She held various bookkeeping positions in the Aberdeen area, working for the State of South Dakota, Bethesda, churches, daycares, Ram Enterprise, and the Moose Lodge. Linda was skilled and organized in her craft, continuing to work part-time after retirement.
During her childhood, Linda developed a love for baseball and softball, which carried into the rest of her life. Through her softball friends, she met the love of her life, Dale Mork, and they married on September 14, 1968, in Barnard, SD. They made their home in Aberdeen, and from this union came one child, Todd, born in April of 1971.
Linda remained active in fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball for as long as she was able. She played for over 25 years and received the esteemed honor of being inducted into the South Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 1991. She achieved many other accomplishments, including several trips to the state championship, numerous all-tournament teams, and in 1986, her team won the state modified fast-pitch tournament, earning them a trip to nationals in Staten Island, New York. She also had a love for bowling, participating in women’s and co-ed leagues for many years. Linda won many state and local bowling competitions, even traveling to national tournaments in Reno, Nevada, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Linda was honored by being inducted into the Aberdeen Bowling Hall of Fame in 2014. The relationships and friendships she formed through her love for softball and bowling were very special to her.
When it came to family, Linda and Dale were endlessly supportive of their grandchildren’s school and sporting events. They were in the stands, cheering Haylee and Meghan on for every volleyball and basketball game, and they continued to support Aberdeen athletics even after their grandchildren graduated. The couple were also dedicated supporters of Northern State University, as they frequently attended both men’s and women’s basketball games. Linda also loved watching the Minnesota Twins. Linda and Dale were dedicated members of Plymouth Congregational UCC, the Elks, and the Moose for over 50 years.
Linda cherished time with her family, and their gatherings were always filled with laughter, games, and love. They especially enjoyed playing cards—pinochle, garbage, and nertz were favorites—along with dice and dominoes. The family also loved traveling together, taking road trips and camping adventures to places like Valley Fair, Big Stone, and Elm Lake. Visiting Linda’s sister, Ginger, in St. Louis was a frequent and memorable trip. Haylee and Meghan have fond memories of walking to Grandma and Grandpa’s house after school to pick apples from their trees and enjoy Linda’s homemade apple crisp, rhubarb desserts, caramels, and pumpkin bars—but most of all, they treasured the irreplaceable time spent with her.
Grateful for having shared Linda’s life are her husband of 56 years, Dale; son, Todd (Val) Mork of Aberdeen; granddaughters Haylee Mork and Meghan Mork of Aberdeen; sister, Ginger (John) Wilson of St. Louis, Missouri; sister-in-law, Linda Emery of Otsego, Minnesota; great aunt, Betty Hemen of Aberdeen; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Marjorie, and brother, Terry Emery.