Linda Arnason

Arnason, Linda A., age 76 of rural Deerwood, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on February 2, 2026. Preceded in death by her son, Darrel; granddaughter, Kayla; brothers, Ron and David; brother-in-law Tom and niece, Melissa. Survived by her husband, Hal; siblings (Diane) Mongeau, Steve (Sue) Mongeau, Ken (Sandy) Mongeau and Deb Wannebo; children: (Sharrie) Staats, Patti (Mihai) Miu, Jim Jr. (Lydia) Staats, David (Deesa) Staats, Jodi (David) Christopher, Leslie (Gary) Pelletier, Heather Lemon, Crystal (David) White; also by her beloved 21 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, along with numerous other family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at a later time to be determined.

Linda was born on March 29, 1949 as the eldest of 6 children to Darrel and Doris (Ruud) Mongeau. Linda married James ‘Red’ Staats in 1969, where she gained a bonus daughter, Kathy (Gary) Verhoek, from his previous marriage, and together they welcomed Darrel, Patti, Jim Jr, and David to their union, having their residence in Rosemount, MN. During this time Linda was a homemaker until the kids all were in school, then worked at the old Sanford Hospital in Farmington as a receptionist and Medicare clerk, then for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Eagan. She loved to bake and many times the counters would be stacked high with a variety of cookies that she would freeze in ice cream buckets so as to have desserts on hand when visitors would stop by, unfortunately for her, the kids and Red would raid the freezer and eat everything, the only frozen dessert she made that would be safe was pies. She also had a large garden and canned numerous vegetables and fruits to get the family through the long Minnesota winters. In 1989, Linda married Hal Arnason, where she gained 4 more bonus daughters from his previous marriages: Jodi, Leslie, Heather and Crystal. They resided in Saskatchewan, Canada until buying their forever home outside of Deerwood, MN in 1991. During those early years she started up her large gardens again, canning the harvest she reaped, as well as tended to a large raspberry patch, selling raspberries and the jam in the early fall. She also worked in the billing department at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center for a few years, where she made many friends. She spent many years team driving semi with Hal, then being a trucking escort for Hal with his oversized loads. They enjoyed many trips to the southern states, but especially loved visiting family in Foam Lake, Sask and spending time at the cabin at Leslie Beach, Sask. During their younger years you could find Linda and Hal cutting up the dance floor, dancing the two step, triple two step, country waltz and various line dances. They were a beautiful pair to watch! Linda had a caring soul, and spent time caring for her father and both her in-laws, as they transitioned from this world. Those experiences shaped her last moments, which was evident in the grace and dignity she exhibited during her final moments, and the relationships she built with her hospice team. Linda’s quiet compassion will be sorely missed by all she ever had the pleasure to meet.