Linda Mary Kalajainen's Obituary
Linda Mary Kalajainen, born on July 9, 1953 to parents Ruth and Neil Gutmann in Salida, CO. Linda moved to Dunedin, FL at the age of 5 with her family where she attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and graduated from Clearwater Central Catholic High school. Linda was 16 when she met the love of her life, Chip. Chip and Linda were married on May 4, 1973 and they began a beautiful life spending more than 50 years together. Side by side they built a business (American Automatic Lawn Sprinkers) and raised their two children, Jason and Cheryl. Through the years Linda had many adventures and loved many people. She touched a countless number of lives working at AALSCO, volunteering at her children’s (and grandson’s) schools, helping at her son’s deli, and working as a travel agent (Sail Away with LindaK). She loved her family fiercely and never stopped being a caregiver. She shared many good times through her love of cruises and Buccaneers football.
On March 25, 2026, after nearly a year long battle with cancer, Linda (age 72) went home to our Lord Jesus Christ. She was surrounded by family and love, listening to Jimmy Buffet, and holding Chip’s hand.
Linda was preceded in death by her mother Ruth, her father Neil, and her brothers Dick and Bob Gutmann. She is survived by so many people she loved including her Husband, Chip Kalajainen; her brother Jim Gutmann her son, Jason Kalajainen (Lori), her daughter, Cheryl Ritzenthaler (Aaron); her grandchildren, Kaylee (Fady) and Holden; multiple nieces and nephews; her great nephews Cameron and Connor; her great grandson Geo; and her close extended family Kathie Hardesty, Tania Reinoehl, and Tug Reinoehl.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Linda’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate
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