Linda Crooks

Linda was born to Arthur and Stacy (Shuman) Crooks in Mohall, ND on July 14th, 1944. She is preceded in death by her parents, her older sisters Marva Jane and Marilyn and younger brothers Bill, James and John (James and John both died in early childhood). She is survived by her daughter Tracy, her son Grady, her grandchildren Jenna, Lauryn, Griffin, Jack, Karli Kate and many nieces and nephews. In her childhood, Linda’s family lived in the town of Mohall and operated a farm nearby. Linda loved to reminisce about time spent on the farm with her Dad, funny things her Mom would say or do, and time spent playing jokes on her siblings. Early on, Linda developed what became a life-long love of animals. As a child, she had pet raccoons, crows, toads, turtles and rabbits. As an adult, she had a passion for horses and dogs. She bought her first horse, Penny, in 1969. As a testament to Linda’s care for animals, Penny lived to be 37 yrs old. Later in life, she became dedicated to rescuing animals. Among these rescues was a duck who couldn’t fly (Quacker), lame sheep headed to slaughter from a nearby sheep ranch, a wild Burro (Taco, who lived to be almost 30 yrs old) adopted after being rounded up in New Mexico, a horse (Red) who had been abused and was severely malnourished and several dogs who needed care and a home. Linda began her working career as a secretary in an insurance office in Bottineau, ND, in the mid 1960s. She would later move to Minot, ND, where she often worked two to three jobs at a time to make ends meet for her and her two children. In 1978, she was hired on as “hostler helper” with Burlington Northern Railroad, throwing switches, and driving, refueling and cleaning engines in the roundhouse and rail yard. The income from this job allowed her to pursue a dream — a house in the country with a few acres for her horses. In 1986, Burlington Northern transferred her to Glendive, MT. She lived in the country outside of Wibaux, MT, and Beach, ND, for the next 14 years. Around the year 2000, she retired from the railroad and moved to another country home in the Turtle Mountains in northern ND. She enjoyed her retirement there, gardening and rescuing animals until 2015, when she moved to Louisiana to be near her son and his family. She wasn’t fond of the heat and humidity common to Louisiana but she did enjoy the lack of snow, a gardening season that lasted most of the year, and feeding and watching birds year round. In her later years, Linda loved to shop online with her IPad and find little gifts for her friends and family. It was not uncommon for her to receive and mail several packages a day. Each gift came inscribed with a personal note from "Grandma" or "Aunty" Linda. May she rest in peace. Linda's choice was to not have a formal service. In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider a gift to your local humane society or animal shelter in Linda's name...that would make her smile!