HILL CITY--Linda Catherine Cogan of rural Hill City passed away unexpectedly at home with her husband at her side on July 2nd after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born in Rapid City on September 20, 1945, Linda was the only child of Mac and Alice McDonald. At age 18, she married her high school sweetheart Douglas Cogan, and they celebrated 45 years of married bliss. Linda and Doug were blessed with a daughter. Colleen Catherine, truly the joy of their lives. Linda was the core of her cherished family and a consummate educator. She received her Bachelor of Science degree at Mankato State in Minnesota and was awarded a Masters in Education at Adams State in Colorado. New challenges and adventures were enthusiastically embraced. Linda and Doug moved 25 times, teaching in 15 school districts across five states. Boxes were unpacked and the household was up-and-running within 48 hours. Her knowledge and empathy for the special education field always served her students and their families well. Always cheerfully involved with activities of her family and school, she truly "enjoyed" being a cheerleader sponsor, including daughter Colleen's tenure on the squad. Linda was a courageous, beautiful lady - her unselfish no-complaints attitude in the face of her late-term disabilities with MS was truly remarkable. A lovely Christian, she had an unwavering faith, certain of her salvation, and lived a life of patient, gentle witnessing for our Lord. She cherished all blessings, especially of family, dear friends and the bounty of nature. With their final move, back to the Black Hills, she and Doug spent special time on Deerfield Lake canoeing and "catch-and-release fishing," at Linda's request. Linda was pre-deceased by her father, Maurice (Mac) McDonald. She is survived by her husband Douglas E. Cogan; mother Alice McDonald; daughter Colleen and husband Matthew Williams, and granddaughters Chloe and Sydney. Also left to cherish her life are brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Chris Baesler officiating. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Arbor Day Foundation.