Linda May (Iverson) Berendse, 71, of Rapid City, South Dakota, passed away on Sunday, June 20 ^th , 2021.

Linda was born on March 11 ^th , 1950 in St. George, Utah to Alvin Levi "Bud" Iverson and Haroldeane Margaret Horn (later Iverson then O'Brien). Linda graduated from Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1971. Shortly thereafter, she married Fred M. Berendse on November 20 ^th , 1971 before moving to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1972. There they raised five children: Fred, Denise, Michael, Brian, and Joe. Linda initially worked as a nurse, then stayed at-home to focus on raising her kids, then resumed her work as an office manager at the family businesses: Berendse & Sons Painting Co. and Rushmore Storage.

Linda was one of the most creative people you could ever have the fortune to meet. She is remembered visiting the classrooms of her children to lead "arts & crafts time" as well as showing her grandchildren how to create whimsical ornaments and knick-knacks during their house visits with "Nana." She also had a love for music and encouraged its pursuit with all her kids.

Linda was also a tenacious and determined leader. As a child, Linda was raised to be very independent and self-reliant. She was involved in 4-H as a skilled horsewoman and held leadership positions in her high school student body council. Later in life, she was involved as a Den Leader for Boy Scouts and a leader at the council level for Girl Scouts, receiving multiple accolades for her involvement and commitment. She imparted to all the young boys and girls she led a strong sense of kindness, community service, and hard work.

Linda loved to organize gatherings for her family at every major holiday and life milestone. She excelled at bringing the family together for lively functions that featured delicious homemade food and impeccable planning. For her, it was not enough to just gather and eat; there were always additional games, talent shows, or activities on the agenda. She was interested in the talents of our family, and she loved to see those talents showcased and shared. Her family was her world, and they will miss her dearly.

Linda loved to read, cook, scrapbook, go to the movie theater, spend time in her garden, write letters to loved ones, ride horses (in her younger days), and ponder the big questions and mysteries of life (especially while on the phone with her sister, Cathy).

Linda was preceded in death by her father "Bud," her mother Haroldeane, her step-mother Judy, and her adoptive half-brother Michael.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Fred; her five children Fred, Denise, Michael, Brian (wife: Stephanie), and Joe; her seven grandchildren Kane, Dillon, Cody, Tyler, Maryn, Rowan, and Rocky; her sister Cathy; her brother Clay; her half-siblings Nancy, Steven, Liberty, Victor, and Randall; her step-father Howard; and numerous step-siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation hours will be held at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home on Jackson Boulevard on Thursday, June 24 ^th , 2021 from 5PM-7PM with a Christian wake service and Rosary recitation to follow at 7PM.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 25 ^th , 2021 at 10AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Canyon Lake Drive.

Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established with proceeds going toward the American Diabetes Association.