Linda Altenburg

Linda Eileen Altenburg, age 67, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer. Linda was born on September 14, 1954, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, the eldest daughter of Arnold and June (nee Johnson) Anderson.  She grew up on the family farm helping raise tobacco, corn, and beef cattle.  At a young age, Linda developed a great love of animals.  Over the course of her lifetime, she owned and loved several horses, dogs (including Old English Mastiffs), and cats.  Once, Linda went to an Amish market and spontaneously bought a horse, without consulting her husband or children, and said horse gave birth to a surprise foal around Christmas time that year - a double surprise!!  When Linda worked at a pet store in Madison, she was constantly sneaking new pets into the family home such as rats, chinchillas, and ferrets.  Linda graduated from Stoughton High School in 1972.  Linda and friend Janice rode their horses into the high school on their last day of school their senior year.  Linda would randomly go to school barefoot, but no one could tell because she wore the biggest bell bottoms ever (it was the late 60s/early 70s after all).  Linda loved working in her many beautiful flower gardens, listening to a book on tape as she worked.  She knew everything about every flower and plant.  She also enjoyed spending time camping, boating with her family, and simply being outside.   Her recent pastimes included anything with grandson, Jett - pickleball, karate, whatever.  Linda homeschooled Jett herself during the pandemic, eventually hiring a tutor because she had reached her max capacity for mathematics.  On November 24th, 1972, Linda wed Ray Altenburg in The Little Brown Church in Iowa.  She wore a blue dress, blue eyeshadow, and blue nail polish.  Together they created Viking Decal.  They also built a gorgeous custom home designed by Linda.  Her sense of style and design were incredible. Linda and Ray later divorced and remained friends.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Melissa; son, Joe (June); the love of her life - grandson, Jett; sisters, Laurie (Tom) Stoehr and Janice Anderson; and beloved rescue pup, Noodles.  Linda had boatloads of special friends, too many to list, but know that she held you all near and dear.  She was a fierce friend, the type of person who befriended people in the line at Kwik Trip.  If you met her, you wanted to be in her life forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents.  Respecting Linda’s wishes, the services will be private.  Put on a flannel shirt, go outside, and let the sunshine down on you - the warmth you feel is from Linda.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

206 W. Prospect, P.O. Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244