William “Don” Donald Linden Sr.
Oct. 28, 1928-Aug. 28, 2024
TOPEKA — William Donald “Don” Linden Sr. passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at Oakley Place, Topeka, with his wife by his side. He was 95.
Born Oct. 28, 1928, in Homewood, Don lived a life rich in family, service and community.
Don’s early years were spent on the family farm north of Williamsburg, where he graduated from high school in 1946. He continued his education at Emporia State University.
In 1948, Don married the love of his life, Nathalee Harrison. Together, they built a life filled with love and raised four children, Bill, Rick, Jill and Kim. Their marriage spanned over six decades before Nathalee’s death in 2014.
Don’s dedication extended beyond his family. He proudly served in the Kansas National Guard and held various jobs throughout his life, including working at Coca-Cola, the Santa Fe Railroad, and DuPont & Flexel, all while continuing to manage the family farm. In 1959, the family relocated to Overbrook.
Later in life, Don found love again, and married Pat Samson in December 2015. They cherished over eight years of marriage together.
Don was a man of faith, attending Overbrook Bible Church (which he helped build), Maranatha Church and Lion & Lamb Church in Topeka.
He loved his great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. His other passion was playing pool with his longtime friends and his new friends at Boulevard Billiards.
Don will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His dedication to family, service and community will serve as a lasting legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lorna (McGee) Linden; his first wife, Nathalee; a son, William D. “Bill” Linden Jr.; a sister, Louise Hackett (Milo); and a granddaughter, Megan Linden.
Don leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Pat Samson; a son, Fredrick Lee Linden (Jane), Troy, Ohio; two daughters, Jill Valerie Olson, Fort Worth, Texas, and Kimberly Denise Wikle (Richard), Moody, Ala.; five grandchildren, Ron Wikle (Jessica), Pomona, Elizabeth Mann (Daniel), Yates Center, Laura Barnard (Sydney), Beaver Creek, Ohio, Chris Linden, Troy, and Lorna Smith (Tyler), Vinemount, Ala.; five great-grandchildren, Kaelie, Hedge and Nathalee Wikle, and Ryan and Brad Mann; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Fischer.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at the Overbrook Bible Church, 719 Western Heights Drive, Overbrook, followed by memorial services at 11 a.m. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, 840 Finney Road, Williamsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Overbrook Bible Church or the Lion & Lamb Church, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524.
Condolences may be left at Lamb-Roberts.com.
