Linda Leistritz

Linda Kay Leistritz, 80, passed away on April 21, 2025, at Saint Catherine North, in Fargo, North Dakota. She was born on February 4, 1945, to Axel Nilson and Elsie (Barton) Nilson in Oakdale, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Linda will be remembered for many things, including her sense of humor, intelligence, creativity, and kindness. Her artistry made birthdays and holidays special, with unique food, cakes and decorations. Desserts were often flamed. She also used her talents to plan unique family trips and family reunions.

Linda had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and loved reading books, going to museums, and traveling. She often looked things up in encyclopedias and dictionaries on her own, and when visiting with family members.

Linda had the ability to help people feel unconditionally loved and appreciated. She also had a strong sense of civic duty. At one point, she was active in the League of Women Voters. She also volunteered for multiple political campaigns.

When Linda first moved to Fargo, she worked as an art teacher. Later, she worked as an Art and English substitute for the Fargo School District. She also worked as a PCA, and for North Dakota State University Food Services.

She is survived by her daughter Lori Leistritz; daughter Leslie Wood; son-in-law Yong Wood; grandchildren Claire and Austen Wood; sister Barbara White, and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters Myra Schauer, and Margaret Westergaard.

Her Celebration of Life and Burial are planned for June 28th in the Norfolk and Oakdale, Nebraska area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Research Institute, the Plains Art Museum, or the Joslyn Art Museum.