Linda Dutton was born and raised on a farm in southern Idaho. She attended rural schools, followed by college at Eugene, Ore., where she earned the status of licensed practical nurse. It was there she met her late husband Howard, a budding industrial engineer.

In 1980, with their three sons, Kevin, Kurt, and Kelly, they came to Whitefish where Howard was employed in the lumber industry. Linda is family oriented, and although she worked a few years at Colonial Manor as a nurse, she describes herself as "pretty much a home-body."

She loves gardening and delights in the hours spent among her flowers. But most of all, she looks forward to visits from her family, which now includes seven grandchildren.

To Linda, volunteering contains its own rewards. The same desire that prompted her to become a nurse — to help others — prompts her to volunteer. She asks, "What better way is there to expend your energy than by helping others?" Although she occasionally offers a helping hand at the food bank, she mainly volunteers at the Whitefish Soroptomist Thrift Haus where she spends several hours each week sorting, shelving and selling materials. She likes being a part of the Thrift Haus project for several reasons, one of which is that it returns almost all the money it earns back to the community.

She feels especially good about the Soroptomist scholarship program which annually contributes generously to the further education of local students. She is rewarded by "feeling good about what I do, knowing that I've helped somebody."

Linda, your efforts have helped countless people in many different ways, and your community thanks you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.