Karl L. Linke, 69, of Syracuse, passed away on May 17, 2020, at the Syracuse Area Hospital. He was born on August 7, 1950, to Karl & June (Johnsen) Linke in Bassett, NE.

Karl graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1972 with a degree in Agricultural Education. He married Lois Petersen on August 21, 1971, at Christ Lutheran Church (Delaware) in rural Syracuse. He worked as a District Director of Member Services for Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation for 19 years prior to retirement in 2013. He loved connecting with anyone he had the privilege to meet. During his travels for work and pleasure, he found many small-town bakeries to satisfy his love of donuts and pie.

He was active at church, serving on the church council in many capacities and also mowing the church cemetery. Karl was the family handyman and built many items with treasures he recovered from wherever he could find them. He enjoyed hunting, supported the FFA, and never lost his love for the Sandhills and ranch where he grew up.

He is survived by his wife Lois Linke of Syracuse; children Timothy (Tami) Linke of Lincoln and Mandy (Brian) Smidt of Beatrice; grandchildren Jackson & Maya Linke, Payton & Garrett Smidt; siblings Junelle Mongno of Jacksonville, AR, Norma (Robert) Bolton of St. Petersburg, FL, Ronald (Diane) Linke of Norfolk, Cheryl (Joe) Hazel of Omaha; sisters-in-law Janine Petersen of Syracuse, Geri True (Jeff Johnson) of Lincoln; brother-in-law: Lyle (Barbara) Petersen of Mars Hill, NC; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law James Mongno, sister-in-law Mary Linke, and niece Sarah June Linke.

A private immediate-family graveside service will be held at the Christ Lutheran (Delaware) Cemetery on Friday, May 22nd. It will be livestreamed on the Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Facebook page starting at 10 A.M. The service will be recorded for later viewing.

Public visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21st from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. at the funeral home. (State guidelines and social distancing will be followed. As such, family will not be present during visitation.)

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, the Syracuse Rescue Squad, or the Rock County FFA Chapter.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com