Melinda "Linda" Gort

Melinda “Linda” Kristine Gort of Montevideo, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the age of 77 at Luther Haven Nursing Home with her daughter and two sons by her side.

A Celebration of Life will be held on her birthday, Friday, October 25, 2024, at 12:00 pm at The Hollywood on Main in Montevideo. Pastor Sam Kautz will be officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at The Hollywood on Main. A luncheon will be served following the service.

Melinda Kristine (Lauritsen) Gort was born on October 25, 1946, in Montevideo, MN, to Fred and Hazel (Solberg) Lauritsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, where later in life she was also active with Sunday School, Altar Guild, Secretary of the Ladies, and Luther League. Linda attended Montevideo schools and graduated from Montevideo Senior High School with the largest ever graduating class (197) in June 1965. During her school years, she was active in 4-H, Glee Club, Pep Club, and The Baton Twirlers Club.

Linda attended Willmar Community College, where she graduated from the Secretarial/Typing class in December 1965.

She was united in marriage to Bradley Gort on June 10, 1967, in Montevideo, MN. To this union, three children were born: Robert, Scott, and Gina. She joined Brad in Germany, Lawton, OK, and Tacoma, WA, while he served his country in the U.S. Army. They made their home in Montevideo, where she was a stay-at-home mom until the children went to school. They later divorced in 1988. She worked for Data 100, Western Printers, Prairie Five, and retired from Luther Haven as a Dietary Aide in 2020. She was a hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic in her kids.

Linda took pride in her home and liked nice things. She had a unique sense of humor, which made everyone laugh. She loved watching her children and grandchildren’s activities, enjoyed coffee time with friends, bowling, 50s and 60s music, dancing, antiques, reading the Minneapolis Newspaper, crossword puzzles, solitaire, decorating for every season, and refinishing furniture. She was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, involved with FFA, a member of the VFW Auxiliary and former Program Chairman for the poppy program, a former Secretary for the American Legion Auxiliary, and Sergeant at Arms for the Honor Guard.

Above all, Linda loved her family the most and was very proud of her grandkids.

She is survived by her two sons, Robert Gort of Willmar, MN, Scott (Rachel) Gort of Montevideo; one daughter, Gina (Brad) Krusemark of Maple Grove; four grandchildren, Samantha (Walter) Stern, Tyler (Sara Blinn) Gort, Emmy and Erin Krusemark; two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Cooper Stern; three brothers, Dr. Frederick (Catherine) Lauritsen of Cheney, WA, Corky (Bev) Lauritsen of Granite Falls, MN, and Sheldon Lauritsen of Carrollton, TX; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Gary Lauritsen; a sister, Priscilla Lauritsen, both of whom died in infancy; brother, Dr. Eugene Lauritsen; a sister-in-law, Yolanda Lauritsen; nephews Carl Lauritsen and Eric Lauritsen; great-niece Megg Jensen; and many other loved ones.