Linda Espe Obituary (excerpts)
Linda Jean Robinson Espe, left this earth to enter her eternal home forever with Jesus on May 2, 2025 at Altru Grand Forks, ND at the age of 81 due to complications following Open Heart Surgery.
Linda was born on March 12, 1944 in Roseau, MN to Glenn and Jean Robinson. She attended Badger school through her Freshman year. She then attended Roseau High School where she graduated in 1962.
A week after graduating from HS, Linda married the love of her life on June 2, 1962. Linda and Duane were inseparable. They were soulmates, a perfect team, and you rarely saw one without the other. They were the greatest example of love on earth many of us ever witnessed. Her children often tease that they never learned how to have a healthy fight because they never heard their parents argue. Linda devoted her life to serving others. She worked as a para, first in the Wannaska school for 7 years and then another 32 years in the Title I department at the Roseau Elementary school. She retired in 2011 after 39 years of joyful service. Linda absolutely loved children. She considered every child who came through her room as important and special, and she made each and every one feel like “they were her favorite”. She was a safe place for so many and did much more than teach, she made sure every single child felt loved.
In her younger years, she was a permanent fixture behind the counter as a cook at Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp for many summers. And many children were assured they would be ok going to camp alone for the first time, knowing “Mrs Espe” would be there. She was always there to make any child feel safe and secure when they suddenly felt homesick. Her presence made everything alright.
Linda’s life revolved around her children, grandchildren, and most recently her great grandchildren. She tried to get to as many of their extracurricular activities as she possibly could as she never wanted to miss a single moment of their lives. Her home was a revolving door. Not only were her grandkids always welcome, but her grandkids friends were always welcome as well. She recounted times of coming home to kids in her house, but not a grandchild in sight….just “adopted” ones. She was eagerly anticipating the birth of her 11th great grandchild, just another example of her “one more child to love is never enough” mindset.
Linda came in a small package. But she was a little bundle of “everything”……..sweetness, strength, humor, wisdom, grace and so much more. We are comforted by the overwhelming assurance that we will see her again one day. Her love for the Lord was evident to all and spilled out through her love for others. Despite this hope, we are left reeling at the overwhelming hole that we are all feeling by her absence. She was our rock, our stability, and the glue that held us all together. She is already so missed. We will strive to pass on all the wisdom and grace and patience and strength she continually expressed for and towards us. But above all, we want to live and learn and strive to “love like Linda”……. something that can only be done through the power and strength of Jesus shining brightly in our lives, as it did in hers.
A celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 9th at 11:00 AM at the Roseau Evangelical Covenant Church. An open house visitation will be held on Thursday, May 8th from 5-7 PM with a 7PM Open mic family sharing time at the Roseau Evangelical Covenant Church.
Linda is survived by her husband Duane Louis Espe. Three Children, 11 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchidren, three sisters, and several brother and sisters in law.
Linda is preceded in death by her Father, Glenn Robinson, stepfather, Alfred Haugtvedt, Mother, Jean Haugtvedt, and her sister Lila Barnes.
Linda lives in heaven today, because she knew her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Her prayer would be to see each and every one she loved join her there one day.
