Theodore "Ted" Victor Linde

Theodore (Ted) Victor Linde, age 84, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, February 23, 2025. Born in Bellingham, WA, on September 29, 1940, Ted grew up on the family dairy farm on Blaine Road, Blaine, WA with his parents Victor and Minnie Linde. Ted loved the outdoors, building and playing by the creek on the farm. At the age of 16 he lost his right hand in a farming accident. Even in the face of such adversity, Ted showed remarkable resilience. While in the hospital, he practiced blinking with his other eye to continue hunting with his rifle. He enjoyed fly fishing and hunting, bringing back a bear and deer from Canada and Eastern Washington.

Ted was very resourceful. He made all kinds of tools to screw into his arm attachment, enabling him to frame, wire, and plumb 3 homes and make the cabinets for the kitchens and bathrooms.

Ted served six years on the Lynden School Board—an experience that surprised his parents, as he wasn’t particularly fond of school. Ted enjoyed helping others, plowing driveways after snowstorms, etc. He also had a passion for keeping things running. If he saw a need, he would step in and take care of it. Ted was the co-owner of S&H Auto Parts for nearly 20 years. After that, he worked almost another 20 years as the Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor for the Lynden School District. He oversaw numerous projects, including the construction of the baseball hitting facility at Lynden High School. Another project that he enjoyed was helping in the construction of the Million Smiles Park at the Lynden City Park. In his later years, Ted was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which led him to retire from the school district. He turned his focus to working in his home shop, where he made children’s chairs with their names and carved many things. In 2010, Ted underwent deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson’s, so he could continue doing the things he loved for many more years. Ted liked working with all kinds of equipment, whether it was moving dirt, cutting grass, or trimming tree branches. He focused on keeping things neat and enjoyed working outside. Ted is survived by his wife, Suzanne, with whom he shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. He is also survived by his children: Kalise (Gary) Hastings, Karma (Tim) Larson, Kristie (Brian) Moen, Ken (Erin) Linde, Karen (Josh Benner) Jemison, and Kevin (Brenna Laird) Linde. Grandchildren Ryan (Kayla) Hastings, Jordan (Paige) Hastings, Scott (Sage) Hastings, Jacque Larson, Zachary Larson, Michael Larson, Jonathan Larson, Matt Moen, Anna Linde, Kate Linde, Noah Jemison, Braxton Benner, and Raven Laird. Great Grandchildren Paxton Hastings, Oaklyn Hastings, Ledger Hastings, Judson Hastings. Ted leaves behind his siblings: Carolyn Moss, Lori (Terry) Nearing, and Marge (Eric) Thatcher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Minnie Linde, and his brother, Dwayne (Buzz) Linde.

 A celebration of Ted’s life will be held in June.

 In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Lynden School District or Lynden Parks and Recreation.