Linda Kathleen Tausan

Linda Tausan of Ogallala, Nebraska, died February 2, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, MS.

At the time of her passing, Linda was 78 years old. She was born on August 24, 1944, to Keith DeWayne and Marvel Adell (Sanders) Magnuson in Sutherland, NE. Linda grew up on the George McGinley ranch in Keystone. 

She attended District 39 grade school, which was a one-room schoolhouse, and that she not so fondly remembered had an outhouse. She did, however, fondly remember life on the ranch, riding horses, playing in the creek with her sisters and cousins, brandings, and board games with her family during the long winters.

Linda graduated from Ogallala High School in 1961 and then attended Parks Business School in Denver, CO. She could easily take dictation, having mastered shorthand, and could type with amazing speed and accuracy. As a professional secretary, Linda worked for McGinley Lane Law Firm in Ogallala for ten years. 

In 1977 the family moved to Sutherland, where Linda worked for NPPD and then as the secretary for Sutherland Public Schools. Her kids loved this job because it meant no more walking to school, especially during the winter. In 1983 Linda and her kids moved to Little Rock, AR, where she worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance until her retirement.

After retirement, Linda moved back to Ogallala, where she helped care for her father until his death. She also joined and became a life member of the Moose Lodge 1624 and Women of the Moose 122. She served as the Treasurer and received the Star Degree for fulfilling those duties for multiple years. She received the College of Regents, having served in all capacities, including Senior Regent and Past Regent. She helped with every fundraiser and loved every minute spent with her friends at what indeed became her special place.

Linda married Kenneth Tausan in November of 1968, and together they had four children, and she got a bonus stepson. Although their marriage ended, they maintained a  friendship, and Kenny was able to generally, annoy her until he died in 2020.

Of all things in her life, nothing brought her more joy than her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, which lovingly called her Grammy. She spent as much time in Arkansas and Mississippi as she could every year, attending birthdays, graduations, baseball, softball, and soccer games, happy to be cheering on her grandkids and spending time with her own children. In the weeks preceding her death, Linda was surrounded by her family, enjoying life, laughter, and a few cold beers.

Linda is survived by her only sister, Jean Magnuson of Ogallala, and her four children, Gerri (Tommy Joe) Miller of Brookhaven, MS, Jeani Davis of Cabot, AR, K.D. Tausan of England, AR and Crystal (Chad) Moore of Greenbrier, AR and stepson Monty Belsky of Rapid City, SD. Grandchildren Myles Tipton, Madi and Maney Miller, Brandon, Jake and Sawyer Davis, Kourtney and Kennedy Tausan, Hunter McGraw and Tess Gordon, Kinley Moore, Kash Moore, and five great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by very special cousins, Janice Magnuson and Roberta Walker, special niece, and nephew Melanie Meyer and Jeremy Kudrna and many more nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Justin Davis, granddaughter Hannah Davis, and special cousin Barbara Magnuson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8, at 10:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Ogallala, burial of her ashes at the Ogallala Cemetery, followed by a celebration of her life and luncheon at the Moose Lodge.

Memorials in honor of Linda can be made to the Women of the Moose 122 in Ogallala.