Linda Twitchell
Linda Kay Long was born on Dec. 21, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, to Leonard “Bud” Long and Nadine Lund Long.
She grew up in the Highland community south of Wolf Point, spending many hours on horseback, riding the prairie and being a true cowgirl. Linda attended country schools often riding her horse, Dolly, to and from school. She graduated from Wolf Point High School and later graduated with an accounting degree from Great Falls College.
On Sept. 25, 1964, Linda married James Bert Twitchell. She spent a lifetime being his partner on the ranch where she worked by his side raising cattle, putting up hay or harvesting in the fields. Together, Linda and Bert raised four children (Janice, Cathy, Jason and Joe) and taught them by example about an honest days work. After raising her kids, Linda worked writing grants and was the executive director for Great Northern Development Corp. for many years. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point where she taught Sunday School, Bible school, served on the church council, helped with Smorgasbord and made the best cookies.
Linda had an adventurous spirit that would lead her to do all kinds of creative things. She made quilts for all of her kids and grandkids, made wedding cakes for many relatives, grew a fantastic garden, cooked huge meals, knitted hats, mittens and sweaters, crocheted baptismal gowns and was known to make wine that would warm you from the inside out!
Linda had a huge heart for animals and besides the horses that she cherished (Dolly, Licorice, Honey child and Sue), she seemed to always be taking care of a bum calf, abandoned kitten, her chickens or her little dog, Molly. She could take the smallest, sickest animal and nurse it back to health with a kind touch.
Linda thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and was always interested in their activities and accomplishments. She supported them in all that they took on and delighted in their successes. Her advice to them was to “Give it all you got!” in everything they did just as she gave 110% in everything she did.
Linda had a wonderful sense of humor and didn’t take life too seriously. Her giggle was infectious and she shared many laughs and good times with her kids, grandkids and husband. She had a huge heart and was quick to forgive and give everyone a chance. She was a wonderful example to those around her and her cheerful attitude will be sorely missed. Hers was a life well lived!
Linda passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Nadine; grandparents; mother-in-law, Jenny Kawasaki; and father-in-law, Jim Twitchell.
She is survived by her husband, Bert; and four children, Janice (Brett) Hallinan of Pocatello, Idaho, Cathy (Jeff) Hintz of Sidney, Mont., Jason (Nyoka) Twitchell of Miles City, Mont., and Joe Twitchell of Rochester, Minn. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Olivia, Chance, Cyrus, Rae, Libby and Paige; her brothers and sisters; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” – John Wayne In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has decided not to have a public service. Memorials can be made to Linda’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
(Paid Obituary)
