Charles "Bud" Linde

Charles “Bud” Joseph Linde, 92, of DeForest, passed away on January 5, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born on February 21, 1932, in DeForest, the son of Almer and Lorraine Linde.

Bud was a Deforest fixture his entire life, attending DeForest Schools, lettering in football, baseball, boxing and FFA, Graduating from DeForest High School in 1950. Bud married his high school sweetheart Evonne Reddeman on July 28th, 1951, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison (Norway Grove Church was under construction) officiated by Pastor Kampen.

Bud was a “jack-of-all-trades” but most passionate about farming with his dad Almer and his brother Wray. The “boys” created the Linde Brothers partnership in 1946 and worked together their entire lives raising livestock and managing hundreds of acres in crops.

Bud was a very active, lifelong member of Norway Grove Lutheran Church. His membership spanned 92 years, the longest of any member (so far). He readily volunteered at the church in every way, from Church Council to mowing the cemetery.

Any description of Bud must bring to light his everlasting generosity. Be it relative, neighbor or stranger, if help was needed Bud would be there with his pick-up, his tools, his wisdom, his strength and if necessary, his checkbook. His home was always open to friends and strangers alike.

Throughout his life, Bud would grab his hunting gear or tackle box at every opportunity. He may have been happiest sitting in his boat, showing amazing patience teaching his grandkids to fish. Bud loved hosting his friends and family at the Crooked Horn Cabin, and would regale his guests with hunting and fishing stories around the euchre table well into the night.

Bud is survived by his wife of 72 years, “Gramma Bud” Evonne, son Donald (Cheri), daughters Lou Anne Schweppe (Greg), Lori Linde (David Woolpert) and Lisa Linde. He is further survived by 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren (about to be 7!), numerous nieces and nephews, plus his hunting, fishing and cabin family.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wray and his sister-in-law Shirley, son Ronald, son-in-law Ron McCoy and granddaughter April Dykstra.

A Memorial Service will be held at Norway Grove Lutheran Church, 820 River Road, DeForest, on Saturday, January 25th with visitation at 9 AM, service at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow.