Monday....January 17th...2011

Linda was an open, powerful, & courageous woman. Surrounded by her loved ones, Linda Lou Wood passed away peacefully on January 15, 2011. She was 64.

Linda Lou Rasmussen Emken Wood was born on March 13, 1946 in Blair, Nebraska to John & Maxine Rasmussen. She spent most of her childhood on a dairy farm outside of St. Paul, OR where she attended High School at St. Paul & Newberg. She was a cheerleader & president of the FHA. Linda went to college at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. On a trip to a family wedding in Nebraska, Linda met her 1st husband Richard Emken. They traveled back to Oregon were they raised their four children in the Monmouth area. After losing her first husband in 1978, Linda moved to Salem to start the next chapter of her life.

In the spring of 1980, Linda met her soul mate David Wood. They fell in love and were married on November 20th of the same year. Linda & Dave eventually moved to the Bend area where they started Central Oregon Custom Homes & Legend’s Publick House, while Dave continued to work for The Oregon Education Association. Linda & Dave enjoyed working closely with WINGS seminars, Champ Cup Open Wheel Racing and spending time at their 2nd home in Land O’Lakes, Florida. They loved to travel and experience new adventures together. After battling cancer for a few years, Linda & Dave moved to the Canby area so they could be closer to family & friends.

Linda loved to bake!! She was known for her cookies & other treats. Linda loved to read & play cards. She was a tremendous friend to many. Her smile could light up a room. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her two grandchildren who were very near and dear to her heart.

Linda is survived by her husband David Wood of Canby; sister, Karen Meuchel of Brooks, brothers, Marlin Rasmussen of St. Paul, Norman Rasmussen of Salem: Children, James Emken of West Linn, Jeff Emken of Bend, Janine Emken of Tualatin, Wendy Soethe of Seattle & Juli Walton of Bend; Grandchildren, Jillian Emken & Taigen Soethe, and her dog, Sadie. She was preceded in death by her 4th son Jonathan Emken Wood.

We invite you to join us at the Celebration of Linda on January 22nd, 2011 at 1:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 301 South River Street, Newberg, OR 97321.

In lieu of flowers Linda would appreciate donations being made to the WINGS seminars scholarship fund in her name at www.wings-seminars.com/linda-wood.

For more information about Linda’s extraordinary journey please go to www.linda-lou.blogspot.com