Linda Lou Palmer, age 70

Linda Lou Palmer, age 70, of Grand Rapids, Minn., died Friday, June 8, 2012 at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids from complications of pulmonary fribrosis. Linda was born April 22, 1942 in Vinton, Iowa to Wilbur and Evelyn Williams and was adopted along with a brother and sister in 1946 by Donald and Mary Rehder of Gladbrook, Iowa. She graduated from Gladbrook High School and from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. Linda taught Art at schools in Exira and Reinbeck, Iowa before moving to Minnesota in 1967. She studied with Nellie Gebers, a well-respected regional artist and former student of Grant Wood. Linda was married to Elmo Palmer of Ball Club, Minn., in 1969 and opened St. Luke’s Studio at her home near Ball Club in 1984. In addition to her art, she produced silk screened shirts, caps and jackets for local residents. After moving to Grand Rapids in 1988, she was active in the local arts community and performed for several years in the Showboat productions. Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by two daughters, Christine (Joe) Belgrade of Grand Rapids, Minn., and Mary (Kevin) Cortese of Virginia, Minn.; a sister, Judy (Paul) Filean of Des Moines, Iowa and a brother, Denny (Pat) Rehder also of Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren, A.J., Heather and Iain Belgarde; Savannah Jarvi, Hailey and Jordanna Cortese; four great grandchildren, Ra’leigh Lynn and Ayanna Belgarde, Layla and Shania Hinch; many nieces and nephews. Visitation was from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 10 at Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids and from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 11 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. Burial at Olivet Cemetery in Deer River, Minn. Memorials may be directed to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation for Research. Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home and Crematory, Grand Rapids, Minn. To sign the online guest book or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.