Gunvor Linnea Bagby

Gunvor Linnea Franson Bagby, known by those close to her as Linnea, was born June 27, 1926, in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, to Swedish immigrants, Ernst and Hildur Franson. After graduation from high school, Linnea attended and graduated from nursing school in Boston. She then worked as a nurse in New York City.

Travelling to Minnesota to attend the wedding of a close friend, Linnea was picked up at the train station by Robert (Bob) Bagby, a friend of the groom. A whirlwind romance ensued, and Bob and Linnea were married later that same year. Three children were born to the marriage, Paul, Robert, and Dianne.

Robert's employment with Western Electric took the family to Oslo, Norway, Wiesbaden, Germany, and Istanbul, Turkey. During those years, Linnea worked as a school nurse for the American Schools. Linnea loved the family's travels and Istanbul was her favorite city.

The family returned to the United States in 1968, settling in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, Linnea worked as a surgical nurse at Baptist Hospital until her retirement.

Linnea was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and her eldest child, Paul. She is survived by son Robert Bagby, his partner Nora Heston, daughter Dianne Rodenberg, her husband John, and three beloved grandchildren, David, Analise, and Matthew Rodenberg.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Mausoleum Chapel at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3815 Yadkinville Road, Winston Salem, North Carolina.