Linden Paul Proeger, 98, of Prophetstown, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. Cremation rites have been accorded, and a private family burial service will be held at a later date.

Linden was born on November 22, 1927, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Martin Luther and Olive (Hoffman) Proeger.  He was educated in the Belmond, Iowa School system, then later attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  Linden joined the United States Marine Corps, where he earned the G.I. Bill. He served as a sergeant and the Primary Marksmanship Instructor (PMI).  His job was to instruct the Navy soldiers on how to precisely fire the M16 rifles used as the standard weapon, firing positions, weapon handling, as well as safety in the Marine Corps in San Diego, California.  After his military term was completed, he returned to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he majored in Forestry and minored in Chemistry.  While in college, he worked in the cafeteria where he met and fell in love with Carol Oltman.  After college, Linden went to Alaska, where he put his forestry degree to work as a firefighter.  After his time in Alaska, he returned to Illinois, where he married Carol Oltman in Rock Falls, Illinois, at Immanuel Lutheran Church on December 27, 1951.  To this union, four children were born:  Wayne, Dale, LinMarie, and Scott.

The family lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Somerville, Texas, where Linden worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and the Pressure Treatment Plant, where they made railroad ties, before settling in Prophetstown, Illinois, on the homeplace Carol's grandfather, George Leuchhard (Lickhard), built. In 1978, the land was purchased by Commonwealth Edison, so they picked up the house and the barn and moved them across the road, where they still reside. The barn was put together with wooden pegs.  To move the barn, Linden tore down the barn, numbering each and every board, then reconstructed it across the road using the original wooden pegs. 

During their 70 years together, Linden and his wife Carol opened their home and their hearts to several foster children.

Linden and his wife Carol owned and operated Sherwood Forest Christmas Tree Farm from 1977 to 2004.  They were members of the Illinois Christmas Tree Association for several years.  They provided their church with a Christmas tree, wreath, garland, etc., every year, even after they closed.  Choosing a Christmas tree from Sherwood Forest and anticipating that hot cup of chocolate was an event that many enjoyed.  One of the fond memories at Sherwood Forest was when a couple held their wedding ceremony in costume, fitting the name.  It was a gorgeous and unique wedding complete with a horse-drawn carriage.  Another fond memory is that Linden built a caboose that he used to haul people around the Christmas tree farm and entered it in the Prophetstown Lighted Christmas Parade.  It can still be seen every year at the Lighted Christmas parade during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Linden was a member of First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, Illinois, and served on the council and as a Sunday School teacher.

Linden had a green thumb, which was evident by the 1+ acre garden he planted every year and the many flowers that surrounded the garden and their farm.  Linden could always be found working in the garden whenever he was home.  A more impressive garden you'll never see!  His garden produced so much that he not only provided fresh produce for his children and their families, but he also donated produce to his church family, food pantry, and local skilled care facilities.  He was a very generous man.  He also raised chickens and shared their eggs with many, never asking for a dime.

Survivors include his two sons, Wayne (and the late Barbara) Proeger and Dale (Darlene) Proeger of Prophetstown, Illinois; one daughter, LinMarie (Kendall) Stephenson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Foster daughter, Loretta (Robert) Russo of Palm Beach, Florida; three grandsons, Bobby (Alisha) Proeger of Hutto, Texas; Daniel Proeger of Hutchinson, Kansas; and Matthew (Nicole Stephens) Stephenson of Sunnyvale, California; four granddaughters, Julia (Richard) Harris of Rochelle, Illinois; Tracy (Michael) Lee of San Antonio, Texas; Sarah Shapiro of Sunnyvale, California; and Rebecca (Ryan) Kaufman of Indianapolis, Indiana; six great grandsons, Fenton Lee, Keegan Lee, Kyler Lee of San Antonio, Texas; Logan Proeger of Hutto, Texas; Reece Harris of Rochelle, Illinois; Ezra Kaufman, Elijah Kaufman, Ezekiel Kaufman of Indianapolis, Indiana; six great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Proeger and Ellie Proeger of Hutto, Texas; Annalyce Harris, and Zoe Harris of Rochelle, Illinois; Ebony Wilson of Rochelle, Illinois; Wendy Wilson of Chicago, Illinois and sister-in-law, Jean Margheim of Rochelle, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Ruth (Oltman) Proeger; son, Scott D. Proeger; his father, Martin Luther Proeger; his mother, Olive Virginia (Hoffman) Proeger; his brother, Luther Warren Proeger and sister-in-law, Mary (Whelan) Proeger; sister, Shirley Emma Plagge and brother-in-law, Marvin Louis Pals; sister, Betty Elaine Conner and brother-in-law, Albert Leonard Conner; his great nephew, Alan Lyle Conner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. E. Allen & Joan (Oltman) DeWeerth; brother-in-law, Arthur Margheim. 

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on his memory wall at www.mvcremation.com.