Obituary: Linda Rae (Kuhn) Lorenzen, 82, The Dalles
Linda Rae (Kuhn) Lorenzen
Linda Rae (Kuhn) Lorenzen, born Jan. 5, 1944, in La Grande, Oregon, passed away Aug. 17, 2026. Linda was the daughter of Merton and Vadna Kuhn and sister of Donna Kay Trussell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Lorenzen, and her dear puppy, Mocha.
Linda graduated from La Grande High School in 1962 and Eastern Oregon College in 1963. She married Jay Dee Lorenzen on Sept. 1, 1963. They shared life and family together for 30 years until his untimely passing in 1995. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Albrecht, and son, Jeff Lorenzen, as well as five grandchildren, Kathleen (and Calvin Sawyer), Jake, Sirius, Violet and Porter, and one great-grandchild, Leo.
Like so many other parts of her life, Linda spent her career helping others, first as a secretary at the Oregon Highway Department and the University of Oregon, later as a learning assistant at The Dalles Junior High, and finally as the president’s secretary at Columbia Gorge Community College. She officially retired in 2001 but continued to serve and support others for the last 25 years. For many years, Linda and her dog, Mocha, were familiar volunteers at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
Linda’s faith and commitment to her Lord were the foundation of her life, whether she was with the Monday Night Bible Study ladies or enjoying morning meditation with her sweet black kitty. Through the years, she attended Longview Community Church, First Christian Church, Hood River Alliance Church and Gateway Presbyterian Church, and was grateful for the fellowship at each.
Linda loved reading, puzzles, building LEGO creations and her family, though not necessarily in that order. She also loved bringing people together, which she did right up to the end.
The family will host a Celebration of Life at Spooky’s Pizza, located at 3320 W. Sixth St., on Sept. 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. Be sure to wear purple, red or yellow, and be ready to share stories, laughs and tears as we remember our Linda Rae.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Springs at Mill Creek and Providence Hospice of the Gorge, with special thanks to all of her wonderful friends who shared their time with her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Linda’s memory to Friends of The Dalles-Wasco County Public Library or Providence Hospice of the Gorge.
