Linda was born April 4, 1957 in Grand Island, the daughter of Eugene and Evelyn (Langenhader) Rosenkoetter.
Linda worked as an LPN at the Grand Island Veterans Home for nearly 40 years, a career that let her shine as a kind and patient care-giver. In her free time, she was a talented crafter and took great joy in knitting, sewing, scrap booking and quilting. Linda loved movies, seeing her flowers bloom in the spring, and spending time with close friends and family.
In 1983, Linda married Patrick O’Brien and they established a home and raised two children in Bradshaw. Many knew Linda from children’s tractor pulls, a business which she and her husband ran under the name “Lil Red Draggin.” Together, they traveled the state, taking in the joys of small towns and making life-long friends as they went.
Linda is survived by her husband, Patrick O’Brien of Bradshaw; her daughter, Molly and her husband Gavin Geis of Lincoln; her son, Daniel and his wife Caitlin O’Brien of Henderson; her sister, Susan and her husband Dale Boyd, of Grand Island; her sister-in-law, Linda Long, of Norton, Kan.; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and a number of other relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family will be collecting memorial donations for the “Staff for Santa” program, which provides Christmas presents for all veterans at the Grand Island Veteran’s Home. Donations should be made out to “GIVH – Staff for Santa” and sent to 445 West St., Bradshaw, NE 68319.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York with the Rev. Dr. James Reinert officiating. Burial will be in the Plainfield Cemetery west of Bradshaw. A Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday evening at St Joseph Catholic Church with Linda’s family greeting friends starting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday just prior to the Rosary Service. Visitation will be held from 1 – 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday at Metz Mortuary in York.