Barbara Link
Barbara Link, 91, of Wolf Point died Sept. 21, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Link, who died three years ago.
She and Ken met in their senior year at Alleman High School in Rock Island, Ill., in chemistry class. He loved chemistry, Barb not so much. Their first date included her painting a number on his motorcycle for an upcoming race. This courtship was full of dates bowling, ice skating on frozen creeks and movies. While courting, he attended Saint Ambrose University while she attended Marycrest College, both in Davenport, Iowa.
He often exclaimed “she’s the only woman for me” — a sentiment he continued throughout their life together. They were married Oct. 4, 1953, in Rock Island, Ill., at the family church, Sacred Heart Catholic church. October 2023 would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
In 1952, he joined the Navy and served in Korea as a medic. She worked at John Deere until moving to Lansing, Ill., for the birth of their first child, Leah, and son, Kurt.
He worked as a railroad detective in the Quad Cities (Moline, Ill.;, Rock Island, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; and Bettendorf, Iowa) at the time of the birth of their son, Kendall, in Rock Island, Ill. Daughter Karen was born after they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He joined the Border Patrol and the family moved to Harlingen, Texas, where son Frank was born. The family transferred to Wolf Point where youngest daughter Diane was born.
She worked for numerous years at Citizens First National Bank and then shifted to her dream job at the Roosevelt County Library from where she eventually retired. He retired from Border Patrol and began work as a Montana brand inspector. He continued his career by joining Alaska’s Fish and Game Department, during which he participated in the Valdez Oil Spill cleanup efforts. Subsequently, he joined the Alaska Prison system. After supporting the prison system for years, he finally “retired again and came home.”
They shared many interests. Both loved action movies: her, crime and mysteries; and him, historical and western documentaries. Both loved animals and reading. She loved gardening, bird feeders and tinkering in the yard. He was an accomplished horseman and loved roping with his buddies. She was an accomplished artist and art was a large part of her life — painting, sketching, drawing — using all media. She enjoyed sewing, needlework, knitting, crocheting and quilting. She was master cribbage player and taught her children the art as well.
They enjoyed the Wolf Point Community for over 62 years and were members of the Immaculate Conception Church.
They were preceded in death by their parents, Ted and Bertha Bonggren and Clifford and Nellie Link; daughter, Leah; and son, Kendall.
She is survived by her sister, Carolyn; and brothers, John and Ron. He is survived by his brother, Morrie. They are survived by sons, Kurt and Frank; and daughters, Karen and Diane; eight grandchildren; and 8½ great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
