Merilynn Kay Linde

Merilynn Kay Linde, 80, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 2PM with visitation to be held for an hour prior to the service. Pastor Brandon Schettler will be officiating.

Merilynn was born March 6, 1945, at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea to Burton and Garnet (Johnson) Trapp. She grew up in Albert Lea, spending much of her childhood helping at her family’s store, Trapp’s Grocery. She graduated from Albert Lea Senior High School with the Class of 1963. 

After high school, Merilynn worked at Yonkers in Des Moines, Iowa, where she met Nelson Snow. They were married on April 24, 1965. Nelson joined the U.S. Air Force, and the couple lived in Jacksonville, Arkansas, during his service. Following his discharge, they returned to Albert Lea, where they welcomed two daughters, Laurie and Amy. 

Merilynn devoted her daughters’ early years to being a full-time homemaker. Later, she accepted a position with Freeborn County Health and Human Services, where she worked in administrative reception for over 30 years until her retirement in 2010. She was also an Avon representative for more than 30 years, building lasting friendships through her warm and welcoming presence. 

On July 8, 1989, Merilynn married Ronald Linde, beginning a loving 36year marriage filled with shared joys and community involvement. 

Merilynn loved her hometown of Albert Lea and made friends easily wherever she went, always seeing the best in people. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh, and enjoyed joking with friends and family. A proud and devoted grandmother, she celebrated every milestone and accomplishment of her grandchildren with enthusiasm and pride. 

She was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan and cherished time spent gardening, sewing, and creating arts and crafts. Merilynn also enjoyed playing bingo and occasional trips to Diamond Joes and Mystic Lake casinos for slot machines. She loved to travel and often spoke fondly of her memorable trip to Hawaii with her lifelong friends. She was also active in the Save Our Healthcare movement in Albert Lea.

Merilynn was preceded in death by her parents, Burton and Garnet Trapp; her husband, Ronald Linde; her sister and brother-in-law, Bobbi and Robert Frits; her niece, Terry Crispin; her great-nephew, Jeffrey Crispin; and her f irst husband, Nelson Snow. 

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Abbe (Rob) and Amy Snow; stepsons, Scott Linde (Barbi) and Jeff Linde (Lori); grandchildren, Ethan and Emily Abbe, Ted, Roxi, and Tiffani Linde, Payton, Danica, and Maddi Linde, and Alexis Pestorious; sister-in-law, Judy Lee; brother-in-law, Gerry Linde (Vicki); nieces and nephews, Susie Snow, Debbi Sullivan (Mike), Kenton Frits, Melanie Linde; and her cherished family pet, Annabelle (Annie). 

Merilynn will be remembered for her kind heart, infectious laughter, and the genuine love she showed to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She leaves behind a family and community forever touched by her warmth and generosity.