Larry John Linn

Larry John Linn, age 81, of Maplewood, died peacefully at his home on Monday morning. Larry is survived by his loving wife, Marlene of 56 years; children, David (Betsy), Duane (Raeann) and Deanna (John); grandchildren and great-grandchildren from David: Nicholas (Emily, d. Sophie), Zachary (Kelly, d. Hadley, s. Paxton and d. Shiloh), Eboni (d. Nia), Christopher (Laura, d. Camilla), Katie Sue (Tanner, s. Ford), Alexander, Courtney, Karina, Isaiah, Jamaiya; grandchildren from Duane: Elijah and Halle; grandchildren from Deanna: Jonah, Garrett and Greta. Larry’s memorial service will be at Hope Church in Oakdale on Saturday, February 27, with a 10:00 reviewal and 11:00 service. The service will be live-streamed at https://hopechurchoakdale.com/linn  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Camp Shamineau or Union Gospel Mission.

  � ��   Larry was born on his mother’s birthday and raised as a farm boy in central Minnesota. He was the 3rd of six children and had a fun childhood surrounded by cousins and good friends Gary and Wayne, among others. Larry joined the Marine Corps at age 17 with his friend Gary, and met another lifelong Marine buddy, George. He was stationed in Japan for 18 months and his adventures with his friend Jim and their motorcycle, solidified his inner travel bug. He spent a couple of years in Southern California working and enjoying scuba diving and racing his TR-3 through the mountains before coming back to get a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. He met Marlene through a young adult group at Central Lutheran while he was in school. They had both experienced travel and independence and knew pretty quickly that they wanted to share a life together. They were married in 1964.

 ��  ��  Larry tried being a High School shop teacher for a couple of years in Foley, MN. As his daughter-in-law said recently, that it was probably too hard to get the kids to follow Larry’s process for the work. With more good friendships from Foley that would last a lifetime, Larry took a job with Control Data and moved the family to Apple Valley when Deanna was a baby. Larry spent days working and evenings in school again for a Business degree. More friendships developed through church over those three years before settling at 3M and moving the family to Oakdale. Larry went from trying to get high schoolers to follow directions before starting their projects to writing the directions to fix everything from copy machines to industrial dispensers of 3M products. In Oakdale, Larry and Marlene were founding members of Hope Evangelical Free Church. Larry was an elder and they were both very dedicated to the work of that church. Larry was blessed to retire from 3M at age 60 and enjoy the benefits of his frugal life to that point. He always chose people over things. He and Marlene moved to a house in Arkansas about a mile down the road from their grandchildren. They loved to be close and be able to spend time with David’s family. And yes, continue to make even more lifelong friends! After ten years, they returned home when Duane and Deanna started their own families.

  ��     Instead of going on a trip to Norway in 2016, Larry ended up having triple by-pass surgery and then was diagnosed with Colon Cancer a few months later. He was strong and pushed through surgeries, chemo and radiation to spend more time with his family and friends. He snuck in several “last trips” with the grandkids during the healthy times and was able to meet seven new great grandbabies, His greatest desire was for the generations that follow to know and follow Jesus the way that he did. We know that he is celebrating in heaven with his parents, brother, sister and friends.  Someday, in God’s perfect timing, Larry will welcome each one of us who know and love Him. 

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