Linda Wilson

Family to receive Friends: Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral services: Friday, November 9, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery

Linda Lou Wilson, age 47, of Miles City passed away on Monday, November 5, 2007 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.

On a crisp autumn day, November 4, 1960, in Billings, Montana, Connie and Malcom "Sonny" Wilson welcomed the birth of their first born daughter, Linda Lou. Their joy was doubled by the surprise secondbirth two minutes later of an identical twin daughter, Laurie Lynn. From that moment on, you could not say their names without saying "Linda and Laurie" or "Laurie and Linda". They were phenomenalathletes , students, sisters, friends and comrades. Tragically their lives were separated by the untimely death of Laurie when they were seventeen. This life altering event would impact Linda's life forever. From that moment on, Linda would be severed in half spiritually and physically, the wholeness gone, the double unity now singled.

Despite this, Linda with her own sense of determination, fortitude and strength accomplished many things. She graduated from high school Miles City, earned a scholarship to the University of Montana (Go Griz!) and later completedher bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering at the School of Mines in Butte. Linda continued her passion of sports playing softball for many years in Miles City, Butte, and Helena. She worked in Anaconda as the animal control officer for several years, a job that reflected her immense concern for the welfare of animals.

Linda inherited a joy of fishing from her father and there was never a day when she didn't enjoy the opportunity to drop a line in a river or lake. Linda loved all outdoor activities from camping in the wilderness to rafting on the Big Hole River. There was no task that she couldn't learn or overcome from the bottom of the basement to the top of the roof,she could redesign,fix it, or replace it. Linda married Jim Kelly in 1993 and from this union was born a daughter,Madisen. Madisen was the joy and love ofLinda's life. Madisen was and is the special gift Linda left us, a legacy of all that was loving of Linda. Linda was a "momma's girl", a great cook, a terrible baker, a true friend to her brothers, family and all who belonged to her. She was a faithful and true woman.

Linda leaves behind her daughter, Madisen, husband Jim, her mother Connie, brothers, Danny (Diane), Tim, Mark "Bird" (Marlene), David "Rooster" (Wendy), many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, and her "special kids" Nova, Freedom and Ollie.

She joins Laurie, her father, "Sonny", grandparents, aunts and uncles in a better place that includes her special four footed friend, JD, with whom she shared many a fine adventure.

Linda, you struggled with powers and demons that were private and personal of which we cannot judge. We do not begin to understand the fear and pain you endured but we are aware of when it began. Farewell, friend, sister, daughter and most importantly, Madisen's mother. We are comforted with the knowledge that you are once again finally whole.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will be held in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.