Linda Jean Ryerson

Linda Jean Ryerson passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on October 27, 2025 after a brief battle with Cancer.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Linda enjoyed traveling at an early age. By the time she was a teen, she had been to every state in the contiguous United States via the annual family vacation. Coming from a family of modest means, they traveled by car and often camped in State Parks across the nation which fostered her love of the outdoors. With a strict budget, she said the car better be in the drive when the money ran out, often joking that she saw everything from coast to coast that was FREE. Those lessons on frugality served her well throughout her life.

As a child few of us know what we really want to do with our lives, but Lin, as she preferred to be called, decided at age 12 on a career in Dental Hygiene while undergoing several years of orthodontics at Marquette Dental School. A career she followed for more than 40 years, 30 of which were in Raleigh, NC.

Upon graduation, Lin accepted her first Hygiene assignment in La Crosse, Wisconsin where she met her future husband, Kurt while he was in training for his first job as well. Through that chance meeting they shared more than 50 years together.

Lin has resided in Raleigh and Wake Forest, NC area with her husband since 1985 when they moved from Wisconsin. She retired from Hygiene to care for her mother in Florida over a six year period, the last two years averaging 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off flying back and forth from Raleigh to North Ft Myers

In addition to Lin's normal Hygiene work, she also taught Water Aerobics as a certified instructor, for more than 25 years at several Raleigh area Aquatics Centers. She viewed the high resistance/ low impact exercise as the "Best of both Worlds "

Lin's bright smile and warm disposition was infectious and she frequently struck up conversations with strangers and 10 minutes later parted with a new friend. Lin believed in sharing life experiences to help others achieve a better, healthier life. She always looked for the good in everyone she came in contact with.

Whether hiking on a waterfall trail in Western North Carolina or bicycling a rail trail in Virginia, Lin lived life to it's fullest. She shared her love of travel with her husband. From the Arctic Circle above Norway to the ruins of ancient Greece to the Great Wall of China she was always looking for new adventures and experiences.

Lin was always willing to lend a hand, no matter what the task. Quick to offer any assistance she could especially with her new family of friends in The Society of the Cincinnati, in which her husband is a member.

Lin was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Dorothy Olsen, both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is survived by her husband Kurt Larz Ryerson and a sister, Christine Olsen of North Ft Myers, FL

Lin will be greatly missed by all.

No memorial service is planned by the family at her request.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests giving to your favorite charity.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Ryerson family.