Linda Hahler Liston, 103, of Cresbard, went to be with her Lord on March 12, 2021 at Faulkton Senior Living.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wecota with Pastor Colin Ford presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Linda Suzanne Kolbenschlag was born to Frank and Martha (Leppke) Kolbenschlag on October 27, 1917 in Boyd, MN. Linda had three sisters, Alona Olsen, Julie Mikelson, and Louise Holscher, her twin sister.

Linda walked two miles for eight years to the country school. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Onto Township, Minnesota. Confirmation was taught in German. Linda and Martin (her first husband) had the same confirmation verse. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glory God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Linda’s first job was working at the Dawson Hotel in Dawson, MN. Linda and her twin sister Louise both worked there and then moved to South Dakota to work on a farm for a relative.

Linda met Martin Hahler and they were married on November 29, 1942. They farmed for 44 years on a farm one mile west of Cresbard. In the latter years, Linda and Martin became snowbirds in Mesa, AZ. They were never blessed with children. Linda taught Sunday School for many years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wecota – she loved sharing Jesus with the little children! Linda was also active in the Ladies Aid at Immanuel. Linda loved her garden and flowers and was very helpful as a farmer’s wife.

Linda stayed on the farm until Martin passed away in 1985. After Martin’s death, she sold all of the farm equipment and rented the farmland, which was later sold.

Linda married Russel Liston on November 8, 1986 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wecota. Linda met Russel while they were snowbirds in Mesa. They made their home in Springville, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Linda and Russel loved to dance and they enjoyed camping and fishing in Russel’s Airstream travel trailer. They spent their winters in Mesa. Russel passed away in 1993. Linda lived in Springville for 18 years and then moved back to Cresbard in 2000. She lived in Louise’s (twin sister) trailer house on Main Street in Cresbard and was active at the Concordia Lutheran Church. She continued to spend the winters in Arizona.

Linda moved to The Meadows in Faulkton in 2010 when she could no longer maneuver the snow and ice in Cresbard. She enjoyed her time at the Meadows visiting with all the residents and family. After a fall caused by her beloved Snoopy, she was moved to the Faulkton Senior Living in 2018. She participated in all of the activities offered; she especially enjoyed playing Bingo, 6-5-4, and exercising every day.

Linda’s faith was an important part of her life. She was blessed with the gift of hospitality….you never visited her without having something to eat or drink.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sisters, and one nephew. Survivors include her nieces: Karen Matthiesen and Cathy Povlick and nephews: Donnie and Bobby Olsen and Randy Mikelson.

Memorials may be directed to Concordia or Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 106, Cresbard, SD 57435.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Linda’s arrangements.

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