Linda Garrison, 56, of Libby

Linda (Green) Garrison peacefully passed away at the Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Nov. 14, 2013. We can all agree that 56 is much, much too young to go, but we are all very thankful she is now at peace and not feeling pain any longer.

Linda was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, on Aug. 1, 1957 to Iris and Robert Green. She moved to Colorado as a young girl and spent most of her great childhood in the mountains of Pinewood Springs, Colo. When she was a senior in high school, Linda moved to Libby to live with her dad and stepmother and graduated from Libby High School. Ultimately, Libby is also where she met and married the love of her life, Bill. They spent 37 wonderful years together and raised two wonderful children, Jackson and Aimee. Jackson gave Bill and Linda three beautiful grandsons (Samuel, Silas and Jacob) and Linda loved those boys with all her heart. No grandkids from Aimee, but there are many “honorary grandchildren” who Linda was known to far and wide as “Gramma Yaak”.

Anybody who knew Linda will likely remember her for her wonderful sense of humor, cheerful smile and infectious laugh. Linda was a ton of fun to be around and there was always lots of laughter and good times to be had. She enjoyed life. Linda loved nature, her home and property on the Yaak River. She even overcame her (as her daughter would say) “unreasonable” fear of birds and had eventually placed bird feeders all around the property just to watch the animals. Linda also had a great love of the desert and she and Bill spent many winter seasons down “bumming around” Arizona and enjoying each other’s company.

Linda was a very giving and caring soul and you could always count on her to lend a helping hand. But challenge her to a game of horseshoes or darts and beware - she was a fierce competitor and a force to be reckoned with. Most everybody knew that Linda was also an artist. She created beautiful stain glass and sand-blasted artwork. She was talented with jewelry making, enjoyed working with her hands and created many gorgeous pieces during the years.  

We really have lost “one of the good ones,” but we can all take comfort in knowing that Linda is in a better place now and reunited with her lost loved ones. In one of her last conversations she said she would, “Save us all spots.” So never fear, we shall see her again.

Linda is survived by her husband Bill Garrison of Yaak; son Jackson Garrison (Nicole) of Troy; daughter Aimee Leighty (Dustin) of Spirit Lake, Idaho; mother Iris Wolfe; father Robert Green; stepmother Bonnie Green; mother-in-law Gladys Haines; and her four siblings Rob Green (Kelly), Robin Green (Tina), Derek Green (Alicia) and Debbie Spires, along with a multitude of well-loved nieces and nephews. Linda is preceded in death by her beloved sister Rebecca Wolfe.

A memorial service will be held at Bill and Linda’s property on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, starting at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. There will be food, drinks and a great celebration of life. Linda requested a party, not a funeral, so that’s what she’s going to get.

Linda had requested that instead of flowers, please send memorial donations on her behalf to the Hospice of North Idaho: 9493 Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835, (208) 772-7994.