Linda Bledsoe
Linda Kay Bledsoe, 61, of Cedaredge, Colorado, passed away on February 29, 2016. She was known for warm hugs, her big smile, and her wonderful laugh. Linda was born in Sterling, CO, and spent her childhood on the Front Range. She spent her high school years in Loveland, Colorado, but graduated from Valley High School in Gilcrest, Colorado.
In 1973, Linda began working for the U.S. Forest Service in Fort Collins. She spent the rest of her career working for the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, where she became a Lands and Minerals Specialist. Most recently, she worked in the Grand Junction Forest Service office. Linda was a dedicated employee and oved her job, especially working with the various people associated with her projects. Linda also studied paralegal studies/law through CSU Pueblo as part of her training and job.
Linda enjoyed her family and friends, NASCAR, sports and kids. She was often found in the stands supporting her sons and grandchildren at their various sporting events. She coached her sons’ sports teams many times and provided numerous kids with love and support. She was enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge with kids at various schools in the surrounding area. She loved helping out in the community in any way she could.
As much as she loved her three sons, her grandkids quickly became the light of her life. The highlights of her life were getting her family together. She loved her brothers and sister and enjoyed spending time with them every chance she got.
Linda is survived by her sons, Jason (Heather) Cerise of Montrose, Colorado, Craig (Amanda) Cerise of Cedaredge, Colorado, Anthony (Sidney) Cerise of Greeley, Colorado, her brother Dennis Bledsoe of Chandler, Arizona, her brother Rod (Kelly) Bledsoe of Windsor, Colorado, sister Vicki (Pat) Grover of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and her grandchildren Isabel, Maya, Blaine, Autumn, Dylan and Colton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Carol Bledsoe. She loved everyone she met and, in return, was loved.
Donations in Linda’s name can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Susan G Komen, or the American Heart Association.
Her Work Linda has deep roots in the United States Forest Service. The agency and its employees are all the better for her many years of commitment. Merely one year out of high school, Linda embarked on her Forest Service career on the Red Feather/Poudre Ranger District in 1973. She excelled at her resource clerk duties and after a few years started working for the Aspen Ranger District, having adventures living in the campground when government housing was not available. Linda made a point of knowing her clerk job and more, quickly becoming essential to operations of the Districts on which she worked. After a couple years in Aspen she moved to Carbondale to work for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management out of Glenwood Springs. Here she was able to put her editing skills to good use working on various management plans and other assignments. Her interest in the lands program commenced while spending approximately five years at this position. Then in 1983 she moved to the big city to work in contracting at the Regional Office. Linda soon had the department in good order and supervised several other employees. In 1992, Linda was hired by the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, working out the Supervisor’s Office in Delta. She worked for three districts operating the lands program as a Realty Specialist. Finally, in 2033 Linda became a Grand Valley Ranger District employee. Grand Mesa is known for having the largest number of water-related special uses in the nation and Linda became one of the most experienced and knowledgeable Realty Specialists in the region for administering special uses and easements for water facilities. One of Linda’s legacies is her work in the ditch bill easements, processing over 400 ditch bill applications for the GMUG. She has shared these skills, developing a blue print to help other forests as well. She had an outstanding knowledge of laws that authorized many of these original water impoundment structures. Linda’s knowledge of Forest Service history, water law and paralegal training made her a great asset to the region. She partnered with local towns to complete source water protection plans and has been instrumental in three reservoir enlargement and rehabilitation projects. Linda’s rapport with permit holders has been a key to successful relationships. Often both Forest Service employees and people with vested interests in lands issues called Linda for advice, knowing she was a trusted source of knowledge. There are people who are all better thanks to Linda for her mentoring and patient teaching. Linda tackled a lot, as fewer women worked for the Forest Service at the start of her career and she went out on forest fires to boot! All this exemplary work and Linda also lovingly raised her three sons.
tribute by Lynn McDonough