Linda Mielke was the best knitter in the world.
Ok, maybe not the world. But at least in the world of all those who knew her.
She was an artist. She found color, beauty, and inspiration everywhere, anywhere, in everything. Over the years, Linda grew into a formidable and challenging young woman. She was obsessed with auto racing, snuck out of German classes at the Y to meet her boyfriend in high school, and burned her bra in the 70s. She leaned into her creative side, learning everything she could about sewing and art, crochet, knitting, weaving and more. She would have majored in art if that would have paid the bills, but, alas, we all know there are too many starving artists.
So, Linda majored in political science at Southeast Missouri University. Soon after, though it wasn’t her dream job, she took a position as a secretary for Crawford and Company Insurance Adjusters, and it led to the biggest break she would ever have in her life: meeting John.
She and John met in 1979 at a training conference in Atlanta. They knew each other for two weeks before John sent her a one-way plane ticket to Montana. He just knew she was the one. She took that ticket and jumped right in, full hearted, just like she did with everything. The rest was history.
In 1980, Linda and John got married. She wore a dress she had made herself, adorned with her grandmother’s ivory beads, lace she crocheted, and a bouquet of fresh (real – she insisted they be real) flowers. They lived in Billings, Montana for the first 7 years of their marriage. Then they moved to Colorado for a year before finding a more permanent home in Orlando, Florida.
Of course, Orlando in 1989 would bring them their biggest adventure yet: Their perfect daughter, Rachael.
Motherhood was both a blessing and a challenge for Linda. She stayed home with Rachael for the first two years before returning to work in the insurance industry. She was always balancing the needs of her husband, daughter, and the demands of her career.
She would see her daughter grow and become a career woman in her own right as an aerospace engineer, all while building and growing her own successful insurance company. She was one of the women breaking the first glass ceiling, telling women everywhere: you really can have it all.
After she and John built their incredible life in Florida, and raised their successful daughter, they made the major life decision to retire in North Carolina.
They found their ideal retirement house in Maggie Valley, North Carolina in a neighborhood that would usher in a new era of community and friendship for Linda and John. Linda joined the local knitting guild and indulged in the vast array of art and culture that Asheville had to offer. She found every yarn shop in a 50-mile radius and invested in a yarn collection that would produce some of the finest creations this side of the Mississippi.
Nothing made Linda happier than to share her art. She made shawls and sweaters and shared them with all her loved ones. She frequently donated her pieces to raise money for local charities in her community. When it came time for her to become a grandmother, she would have it no other way than to make their baby blankets and all their special baby bonnets.
Linda lived her retirement life to the fullest right up until the end. She was constantly imagining, designing, and creating. She was feisty and passionate even in her final days, insisting on watching the entirety of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Indy 500 over Memorial Day weekend from her bed, at home, with her husband, daughter, and sister-in-law right there with her. In the early morning of June 2nd 2024, she succumbed to her illness after fighting for 4 long years, and left her earthly body. Her art, vibrancy and passion will live on and continue to be celebrated by her loved ones.
Her legacy survives through her husband John, daughter Rachael, two grandsons Cooper and Cody, her brother Kurt and her sister Becky – not to mention the extended members of her family, friends and the communities she was a part of.
Linda’s celebration of life will be August 3rd at 3 PM at the Brannon Forest Clubhouse (56 Rockin’ Chair Ln, Waynesiville, NC 28785). In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Sarge’s Animal Rescue (www.sarges.org).
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