Linda Mae Bork

Linda Mae (Howe) Bork, age 80 of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died on Sunday June 28, 2026, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center-Osage, following complications related to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic lung disease.

Linda was born on November 6, 1945, to Harold J. and Leola M. (Frese) Howe at Nissen Hospital in Osage, Iowa. Linda grew up on a farm southeast of Otranto, Iowa. She attended school in Otranto through eighth grade before graduating from St. Ansgar High School in 1964. Following graduation, she worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines. On October 30, 1965, Linda married her high school sweetheart, Gary Bork. Early in their marriage, she spent a year in Germany while Gary was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Throughout her working years, she was employed at Marr Knitting, Gabe’s, The Good Samaritan Center, and Fox River Mills. She enjoyed cross-stitching, tending to her flowers, canning, fishing at the family cabin on Lake Vermilion and spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved pups over the years. Linda also served as a Sunday School Teacher and a Boy Scout Leader. Above all, Linda cherished her family. She was blessed with two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

She is survived by her lovely husband of nearly 61 years, Gary Bork; her son, Brian (Tara) Bork; her daughter, Kim (Joe) Beland; grandchildren, Sommer (Jaini) Beland Kaithwas, Nicholas Bork, Lauren (Jack) Lander, Maxwell Beland, Natalie Bork, and Mason Beland; great-grandson, Kian Kaithwas; mother-in-law, Ellen Bork; brother, Jim Howe; sisters-in-law, Barb (Dean) Feldt and Sue (Mike) Nicholson; brother-in-law, Jim (Venita) Bork; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Howe; mother, Leola Howe Matter; stepfather, Arnold Matter; father-in-law, Wayne Bork; and grandparents, Lester and Olive Howe and Herbert and Linda Frese.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ross, Carrie Evans, the nurses, aides and staff at Mitchell County Regional Health Center, the St. Ansgar Clinic staff, and the St. Ansgar First Responders for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Linda throughout the years.

In keeping with Linda’s wishes, no funeral service will be held. A come-and-go Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Ansgar American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the St. Ansgar First Responders and SaintsTV. Hoff Celebrations – Schroeder Chapel of St. Ansgar is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.hoffcelebrations.com.