Obituary

Clinton K. Linn, 90, of Denton, Texas, died on Wednesday (July 4, 2012) at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital following a long illness. He was born on July 16, 1921, to John E. and Carrie Jensen Linn in Yankton, S.D. The family moved to Newton, where Clint attended Newton High School. In January 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served as an airplane maintenance technician during World War II. He was a member of the 440th Bomb Squadron, 319th Bombardment Group of the 42nd Bombardment Wing, which was involved in the North African and European air offensive campaigns. His squadron served in Sicily, Naples and Rome-Arno in the invasion of Italy, and also in southern France, the northern Apennines and the Balkans. His citations include the Croix de Guerre with Palme and the Distinguished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was honorably discharged from military service in September of 1945. He was vice president and general manager of Fred V. Gentsch Inc. of Newton, where he served as president of the Kansas Mobile Home Association. He married Dorothy Wedel Tieszen on May 5, 1963, in McPherson, and they were married nearly fifty years. After Clint was named vice president and general manager of Kinder Manufacturing Co., the couple moved to Redlands, Calif., and then lived several years in Elkhart, Ind. After his retirement, they moved to Denton, Texas, in the mid 1980s. He was an avid fisherman and a member of Denton Bible Church. Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie Jean Brown; two stepsons, Bob C. Tieszen and wife Patricia of Argyle and Dwayne A. Tieszen, and wife Cheryl of Van Buren, Mo.; daughter-in-law Martha Tieszen of Denton; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; a brother, John E. Linn, Jr.; two sisters, Carolee M. Brown and Gena L. Becker, and a step-son, James D. Tieszen. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home of Denton. There will be a graveside service with military honor guard at 10 a.m. Tuesday (July 10, 2012) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.