Linda M. Laugen, 82, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital on December 2, 2023.
Linda was born on April 9, 1941, to Arnold and Ruth (Westerberg) Peterson in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up in Baldwin, NY and had a lifelong love of New York City and the ocean – especially Jones Beach.
She left Long Island for St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN where she met the love of her life, Jack. Linda and Jack were married in 1964 in Northfield, but soon came to Cedar Rapids. Together they raised three children, Anne, Pete and Martha.
Linda graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Olaf College and was a French teacher in Hopkins, MN before moving to Cedar Rapids. She found her love of counseling and helping people in crisis which led to her attaining a Master of Counseling and Human Development degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and operating a successful counseling practice. Linda held paid positions at Foundation 2, Inc. and with the Employee Assistance Program at Collins Aerospace. She also served endless volunteer hours with the Veterans Center, the Linn County Food Bank, St. Luke’s Pastoral Care program, the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County and the Catherine McAuley Center.
Linda loved the arts – she and Jack were staunch supporters of Orchestra Iowa; she was an accomplished organist who regularly played at Lovely Lane Methodist Church, Knox Presbyterian Church, and the St. Luke’s Chapel; and she loved to sing harmony on church hymns. She was also an amazing free hand artist who made beautiful doodles and addressed in calligraphy the wedding invitations for her niece.
Later in life, Linda renewed her love of the Jewish faith, which started when she grew up on Long Island. She converted to Judaism and became even more her authentic self. She embraced her multi-faith family with grace and endless curiosity. She would often light the Menorah while listening to the St. Olaf College Choir Christmas Concert.
Linda is survived by her children, Anne of Cedar Rapids, Pete (Stefanie) of Phoenix, AZ and Martha of Madison, WI. She is also survived by her sister Kristi (Rick), brother Roger (Karen); nieces Jenny and Kathy; nephews Bill, Chris and Tim; and her beloved grandchildren, Emi, Ali and Jack Laugen.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack and her parents.
A private family burial took place at Stockholm Lutheran Church near Cokato, MN. A Celebration of Life is being planned for March 2024 in Cedar Rapids. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust; Linda M. Laugen Memorial c/o Anne Laugen. Memorials will be shared with Coe College, St. Olaf College, and Temple Judah.
The family would like to thank the staff and traveling nurses at the Pulmonary Care Unit and the Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion for Mom. We are grateful.