Linna (Miller) Mort was born on Oct. 10, 1921, on the family farm in Mission Creek to Oris and Myrle Miller. She was a wife, a sister, a daughter, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a friend. She was a strong woman who embodied the pioneer spirit, and was devoted to her faith, family and farm.

As the youngest girl of six children, Linna grew up helping out around the farm and farmhouse. She was baptized into the Christian Church in Liberty and attended country school in Maple Grove District 22. She began high school in Summerfield, but transferred to Barneston High School in 1939, where she graduated.

Before she was married, Linna worked as a housekeeper and nanny and also worked with her sister and brother-in-law showing movies and selling ice cream. From 1945-1951, Linna lived in Lincoln where she worked at a dry cleaning plant as head of the silk department. On hot summer nights, she joined other Lincolnites in sleeping on the lawn of the state capitol building.

She married Donald LeeRoy Mort on Oct. 28, 1951, in Liberty. The couple moved to Don’s family farm in Pawnee where they were blessed with four daughters. Linna loved being outside and helping Don farm. Whether it was Linna’s canning of their garden harvest or her staining of all the woodwork in the home they built, she and Don worked together and made a great team. She was skilled at sewing, knitting and crocheting, making her grandkids beautiful afghan blankets as high school graduation gifts. She was involved in several women’s groups including Scissors and Thimble, Priscilla Circle/CWF, Twentieth Century, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the Christian Church in Pawnee City where she taught Sunday school.

Linna’s steady strength was admired and respected. Her capable hands could take on any task – even making Christmas dresses by hand for her granddaughters over the course of one visit. And later a prom dress for one of them – cut on the bias no less! Linna was social and loved a good game of cards. Her quick wit served her well as she was always prepared to tell a funny story or relay a good memory. Holidays were only complete when the family sat down to enjoy one of her many pies and she was always willing to show you how she’d done it despite the fact that she never used a recipe. She lived a full life, seeing her daughters grow into successful adults and becoming a constant and comforting presence in the lives of her grandchildren. She enjoyed travel with Don to visit family and new sights – even and Alaskan cruise! And she was always a gracious and welcoming hostess to friends and strangers alike.

Linna Mort went to be with the Lord on Dec. 9, 2017, peacefully and in her home she had resided in for  years. She was 96 years old. Her passing causes a painful void for her family and her community. She has left a legacy of faithfulness, integrity and wisdom. We look forward with anticipation to the day we will see her again in heaven.

She is survived by her children, Diane and Dale Garner, Columbus, NE, Priscilla and Roger Adams, Lincoln,NE,  Virginia Mort, Pawnee City, NE,  and Jane Mort and Carrie Stemple, Brookings, S.D.; her grandchildren, Joshua Garner, Omaha,NE,  Elizabeth Garner, Lincoln, NE, Lauren and Srdan Sadikovic, Washington, D.C., Claire and Jeff Valder, Lincoln,NE,  and Maggie and Adam Birkel, Bruno; one great-grandson George Leeroy Birkel.; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Don Mort; her siblings Clair (Helen) Miller, Gladys (Kenneth) Heywood, Clinton (Faye) Miller, Keith (Bonnie) Miller; and sister-in-law Marjorie (Merle) Mort Wallen.

Memorial service 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 15,2017 at the First Christian/First Presbyterian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Officiating Reverend Duane Westing. Visitation on Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Inurnment at the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials to the First Christian Church.  On line condolence may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com