Linda Mandsager

Linda C. Mandsager, 79, of Felton, MN, passed away June 24, 2023, in Sioux Falls, SD under the care of family and Avera Hospice@Home due to complications from pancreatic cancer.  

Linda, daughter of Bill and Mildred (Riste) Sorenson was born December 21, 1943, in Ada, MN.  Her family moved quite a bit in her childhood, and she graduated from high school in Tyler, MN in 1962.  She was united in marriage to Ronald Mandsager on January 6, 1974, where they farmed in Felton, MN, until their retirement in 1995.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother Richard (Dick) Sorenson.  Grateful for having her in their lives, she is survived by her daughter Sara (Jarrod) Wang of Moorhead MN; her son, Steven (Brandi) Mandsager of Sioux Falls, SD; her grandchildren Grace, Elliot and Dylan Mandsager, and Hudson and Rina Wang; her brothers Roger (Susie) Sorenson; Wes (Betty Jo) Sorenson; her sister-in-law Betty Sorenson; and many nieces and nephews.  

Never wanting the spotlight, but always worthy of it, her life was exemplified by “The Dash” by Linda Ellis:   

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning...to the end.  

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,  

but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.  

For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth. 

And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.  

For it matters not, how much we own -- the cars...the house...the cash. 

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.  

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? 

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.  

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, 

and always try to understand the way other people feel.  

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, 

and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.  

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, 

remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.  

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash, 

would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 28, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral service will be Thursday, June 29, at 11:00 a.m., at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN.

Interment will follow at Moorhead Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the American Cancer Society or Hospice (Avera@Home in Sioux Falls or Hospice of the Red River Valley).