Linda Rohde

Linda Marie (Stark) Rohde, 73, of Grand Forks died on Friday, November 27, 2020 in her home surrounded by her family under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Linda was born in Langdon, ND on September 17, 1947 to Henry and Lydia (Kroll) Stark. She grew up in St. Thomas and Grafton, ND and graduated from Grafton High School in 1965. She attended the North Dakota State College of Science.

She started working at the University of North Dakota in the early 1970s and retired in 2015.  She started at the Chester Fritz Auditorium when it first opened and worked her way up to Director of the Fritz. She then moved to the Division of Continuing Education and her last 15 years at UND were spent as the Director of Environmental Training Institute. 

Linda married Harold Rohde on July 28, 1979 and they made their home in Grand Forks.  Linda was very active in the community.  She was a member of the Grand Forks Kiwanis Club and served as club secretary for many years.  She was a member of the Sioux Boosters and also served on the boards of the Grand Forks County Fair and the North Dakota Association of Fairs.  She was named North Dakota Fair Person of the Year in 1996 and inducted to the North Dakota Association of Fairs Hall of Fame in 2006.

Linda is survived by her husband of 41 years, Harold, and their daughter Jennifer (Jesse) Helland and grandchildren Brenna, Crosby and Shelby, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lydia Stark; brothers Martin, Harold, Gary and Donald; sisters Frieda Nupdal and Evelyn Stark. Linda was the last surviving member of the Henry Stark family.

Linda enjoyed time with friends and family.  Ever the gracious hostess, she welcomed all with open arms.  She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, puzzles and games, an occasional trip to the casino and their winter home in Mesa, AZ.

A Celebration of Life is to be held at a later date, likely spring 2021.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.