Linda Whitney

Dates

Obituary

Linda Whitney, 73, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Linda Kay Hansen Whitney was born on November 14th, 1950, in Deadwood SD to James Otto Hansen and Dora Laura (Helmer) Hansen. She spent the early part of her life in many different schools as her father pursued his degrees in education. The family started out in Spearfish, then moved to Phillip, Wessington, Gregory, Vermillion and she graduated from Madison High School in 1969.

Linda went to Northern State University to pursue a bachelor's degree in Music Education. She was known to be very smart and graduated in 3 years in May of 1972. She married her first husband on June 10th of 1972. The couple had their first child in December of 1971 and that daughter was adopted, she and Nicole were reconnected in 1999. Jennifer Lea was born in July of 1973 in Spearfish, SD and then they moved to Timber Lake, SD where Linda started her first teaching position as a K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Teacher. In 1975, the family moved to Pollock SD where she taught and then to New Underwood where she initiated the first instrumental program for the school district.

Linda was divorced in 1980 and she and Jennifer moved to Pierre, SD to be close to family. At that time, her dad was in state government and Linda taught in the Stanley County School District in Ft. Pierre, SD from 1980-1983 as the K-12 Vocal Music Instructor and even taught at four country schools during that time. Linda played in a band during those years called The Tommy Matthews Orchestra. It was while playing at the Moose Lodge in Mitchell, SD that she met Steven Leroy Whitney. The pair had a short courtship and they were married just weeks later on July 21st of 1983 in Salem. She became a step-mom to his kids, Kristi and Corey. After their wedding, Linda substitute taught in the Mitchell School District and gave private music lessons at The Music Store in Mitchell. In 1984, Linda got the job as the K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Teacher for the Artesian School District which she commuted to for the first year. The following year, they moved to Artesian, SD where she spent 32 years before retiring in 2016 at Sanborn Central and finished a 44 year career in education.

Just like her father, the love and pursuit of education continued with Linda. In 1987-1988, she got her Masters of Education at SDSU with an emphasis in Counselor Education / School Counseling and Guidance Services for K-12. She became the K-12 School Counselor for the school and continued with the 5th-12th grades as the Instrumental Music Teacher and served in that role until 1991. She was the K-12 School Counselor for the now consolidated Artesian-Letcher School District but added the role of a being on the High School Management Team in charge of student affairs from 1994-2001. In 2001-2003 she pursued an EdS degree from USD and got her Administration Superintendency Specialists degree. Then from 2001-2003 she was the High School Principal and K-12 School Counselor for the district. From 2003 to her retirement, she was the Superintendent, HS Principal, PK-12 School Counselor for the newly created Sanborn Central School District. During that time she supervised the completion of the school built in Forestburg and helped establish a scholarship for graduating seniors in 2005.

She spent long hours serving Sanborn Central in those days and you would see her keeping stats or attending plays and music programs while serving on many boards and organizations including School Administrators of SD, SD School Superintendents Association, American Association of School Administrators, SD Secondary School Principals Association, American Legion Auxiliary, PEO and was a member of St. Charles Parish in Artesian. She served in leadership for the Beadle Club, SD School Counselors Associations, Sanborn Interactive Video Network. She was honored to be the American Legion Local and District Educator of the Year in 2004-2005, The Secretary of Education (Rick Melmer's) Superintendent's Advisory Council member, Executive Board member and officer of the SD Coalition of Schools, Executive board member of the SD United School Association, then appointed to the State Library board by Governor Rounds. In 2014 she got elected to the SDHSAA Board of Directors where she served 2 years. She received a Distinguished Service Award at the State B Girls Basketball Tournament in Huron in 2016.

She played piano / organ for many events, weddings and funerals and she loved her time in the Artesian community. Towards the end of her career and upon retirement, Steve and Linda poured their lives into a variety of activities including bowling, golfing, fishing, camping, gardening, traveling to Branson / Hart Ranch, Skyforce, enjoying Vikings / Twins games and spending time with friends at the Moose Lodge where she and Steve both served, with her as Senior Regent 2001-2002. She also had degrees at the Women of the Moose Academy of Friendship and College of Regents and the two established a scholarship program through the Moose. They participated in the Paralyzed Veterans Fishing Program and just enjoyed being "All In” to their retirement. It was in 2020, when the Covid Virus took hold of the world, that they stopped being active and instead she spent her time "holding down her chair" in the last few years of her life. They moved to Mitchell in 2022 to be closer to doctors as their health declined. Linda had a fall on September 3rd, 2024 and the life support measures were removed on Saturday, September 7th where she was given back to God in the most peaceful way at 13:37 among family and friends at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. This was the end to a well lived life of a wife, mom, grandma, niece, aunt, in-law, cousin, teacher, colleague and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Steve of Mitchell; daughters, Jennifer (Steve) Foss of Sioux Falls, Nicole Reynolds of Sioux City, and Kristie Marken of Aberdeen; son, Corey (Nicole) Whitney of Armour; sisters, Diana (Leland) Buseman of Canistota and June Hansen of Pierre; grandchildren: Jadeyn and Jayse Foss, Alyssa and Hannah (Micah Lau) Whitney, Katelyn (Riley) Scheffert and Eilert Marken, and Ashley (Kevin) Finley; multiple nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, aunts and uncles.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dora and Jim Hansen, her mother-in-law, Helen Whitney and father-in-law, Wendell Whitney.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that all financial donations be made to the Moose Lodge #875 Scholarship program or the Sanborn Central Foundation. Any financial gifts already sent to the family will be given to those two charities that Linda was an integral part of.

The Celebration of Life will be held on her First Heavenly Birthday in Mitchell at the Moose Lodge, Thursday, November 14th from 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, officiated by her niece, Tammy Buseman. Arrangements entrusted with Bittner Funeral Chapel. A big heartfelt thank you goes out to the Moose Lodge for their help in honoring their sister Linda.

Visitation(s)