Linnea (Johnson-Lindquist) Oja, 91 years old, has received her long awaited final reward as she went Home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 10, 2008. “A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
Linnea was a beautiful loving person, faithful wife, and fantastic mother. Her concern for her family never faltered to the end. She also loved people, her church family, friends, and her very personal God. She is now sitting at the feet of Jesus, learning all about Him, face to face.
Linnea grew up in Rapid River on a farm, the youngest of seven children. Her Swedish parents now deceased, Olaf – “Fred” and Anna (Johnson) Johnson had seven children: Theodore – “Ted” (Inez), Henning (Olivia), Rev. Carl (Mildred), Esther (Hugo) Branstrom, Helen (Harry) Person, Clarence (Kay) and Linnea was the youngest one.
Linnea was born on June 25, 1916 and attended the Rapid River Schools through the eleventh grade. Later on, in her adult life, she went back to graduate from Gladstone High School in 1972.
Linnea was the Ensign Township Clerk for over twenty years and also worked in the kitchen at Jack’s Restaurant for a few years. She also volunteered as a cook up at Lake Ellen Bible Camp near Crystal Falls for many years during many camp weeks. And she went for two winters to Moody-Keswick Bible Institute in Florida, among other places, to help out as a cook. Linnea was well known as a great cook, yet humble, by all her family and friends. She loved gardening; she also loved to tease and had a wonderful, yet quiet, sense of humor.
In 1938, she married Wallace Lindquist. They made their home in Rapid River and later in Ensign, on a small hobby farm. Wallace and Linnea had three children: Arlene, Vernice, and Darryl. Wallace passed away in 1977.
In 1981, Linnea married her best friend and neighbor, Carlo Oja. They continued to live in Ensign, until Linnea’s car accident put her in the Christan Park Village in 2002, where she passed away. Carlo and Linnea were married for over 27 years before Carlo passed away in February, 2008.
Linnea Oja is survived by her children : Arlene (Jerry) Smith (Sarasota, Fla and Appleton Wis); Vernice (Ed) Johnson (Daggett); and Darryl (LuAnn) Lindquist (Ensign); plus several grandchildren: Lynette (Jeff) Zimmer (Neenah, Wis), Rhonda (David) Menor (Marinette, Wis), David (Tammy) Johnson (Daggett), Dennis (Sara) Johnson (Daggett), Melanie (Jerry) Sardina (Daggett), Tyler (Katie) Lindquist(Mpls.,MN soon Janesville, Wis), and Ann Lindquist (Bethel U. – St. Paul, MN); plus three sister-in-laws: Olivia Johnson (at C.P.C.), Celia Sipenen, and Delia Oja (Days River); plus several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Linnea Oja will be held at Grace Baptist Church on Tuesday from 3 to 6 PM; with services to follow, celebrating Linnea’s life at 6 PM also at Grace Baptist. Pastor/ Dr. Stephen Patrick will preside over the services for Linnea.
A luncheon will follow the service in the Multi-Purpose Room at Grace Baptist Church in Gladstone; 528 28th Street on M-35.
In lieu of flowers please designate donations in Linnea Oja’s memory to Grace Baptist Church or Calvary Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at church during the visitation or at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Lennea Oja family.
