Linda Wellman Mathisen

Interview by Harlan Lyso

The Pasco High School class of 1964 was blessed with many talented musicians – vocalists and instrumentalists. One name that quickly comes to mind when I reflect on all that musical talent is Linda Wellman, now Linda Wellman Mathisen. I knew that she was an integral part of many musical performances at PHS, but having had the opportunity to reminisce with her a bit, I was shocked to learn that during our senior year she accompanied 19 different musical groups – 19!!

From an early age Linda found that she had a real gift for all things musical. She started playing the piano when she was 4 years old, and astonishingly, by the time she was in third grade she was accompanying the Congregational Church adult choir, yes, the ADULT choir. But her talents weren’t limited to the piano.  In 9^th grade she found that she had perfect pitch, which proved to be an enormous resource to the vocal groups in which she sang. A quick learner, she was given six weeks to learn to play the bass fiddle for a PHS high school concert, a task that didn’t prove all that difficult. She was also part of a quartet that sang at youth gatherings around the state.

Not surprisingly, music continued to be core to who Linda was throughout life after Pasco High School. While attending Central Washington State University she accompanied the university’s major choir and traveled with the choir across Canada. Wherever you might have encountered Linda as an adult, you would have found her contributing her musical talents to the local community.

I was blown away to learn that this talented musician was also a hunter.  That fact didn’t fit with my perception of Linda. But she often went hunting deer and pheasants with her father and even gutted her own kill. She has been proficient with a 30-06 rifle, a 16-gauge shotgun and even a 38 pistol with a laser sight.  Who’d have thought? It is amazing what one learns when one spends time conversing with one’s classmates.

A job as an administrative assistant to a compensation director in human resources at Battelle led to rapid promotions and a thirty-year career as a compensation consultant herself.

Those who know Linda are aware of her selflessness and concern for others. Without having planned to do so, much of Linda’s life has been as a devoted caregiver to family members. While working full-time she cared for her brother, John, who came home from Vietnam severely disabled. Then she was the caregiver for her father, her aunt and finally her mother.

As has been true for many of us, life threw Linda more than her share of challenges. Disappointingly, while they produced three children of whom Linda is extremely proud, her marriages didn’t prove to be long-lasting.  She has had some serious medical issues as well, with brain tumors in 1982 and again in 1999. As a result, her balance has been affected as has her immune system. Consequently, she is not able to get out much, and as only seems appropriate, the woman who spent so much of her life as a caregiver is now blessed to have her daughter, Melissa, as her caregiver.  Despite her limitations, Linda was an active member of the planning committee for our recent 60^th year PHS class of 64 reunion.

Linda says that which most clearly defines her is her relationship with her Lord and savior.  She has been a committed Christian since she was a child and says that she trusts Christ, as he has saved her life several times.  She seeks to share his word in love, not in judgement.

My conversation with Linda provided fresh evidence of the fact that the PHS class of 64 produced an amazing number of enormously talented and caring individuals who have made meaningful contributions to their respective communities.  Thank you, Linda.