It is 1944, the twelfth day of March a young petite teenager named Virginia Chulufas brought forth her pride and joy. A tiny innocent baby girl, Christening her Linda Jean Chulufas. Virginia gazed adoringly into precious Linda’s gleaming green eyes knowing God has given her a special Birthday gift for there would never be any gifts more exceptionally adored than emerald-eyed Linda Jean (AKA Lin, Farmor, Sweetheart).
A few years after Linda Jean’s birth, her brother James (Jimmy) Chulufas blessed her life. Linda, helping raise Jimmy nurtured their relationship as the closest of friends.
Linda excelled in everything she tried both academically and athletically. She won her first bowling tournament at only eight years old. Her trophy was as big as she was. She continued bowling throughout her life winning hundreds of ribbons, trophies and tournaments.
At only twelve years old Linda Jean was known around town as a professional seamstress to all her friends, family and by word of mouth. An entrepreneur at heart starting her very own fashion design company making dresses, handmade suits, pants, sheets and pillowcases amongst dozens of other items, for anyone who would ask. As soon as payment for items would be mentioned Linda Jean refused to accept a penny.
At age thirteen Linda picked up a paint brush and realized she had a natural talent in art, creating many ingenious masterpieces throughout her entire life. The Community became intrigued capturing the attention from neighboring cities winning medals and awards. Linda’s immeasurable artistic range varied anywhere from watercolors, chalks, and oils. She became an expert at stretching her own canvas to even making frames complimenting her works of art.
Linda’s endless talents carried over into the kitchen where she began applying her infinite knowledge of art towards baking. Since her tiny hands could hold a mixing spoon, she constructed the most remarkable tasting and eye pleasing pastries, cookies, cupcakes, breads, and entrees. Her skills in the kitchen were illuminated in the county and state fair baking awards she had won. The array of techniques Linda used varied from designing and decorating cakes to using edible paints, with handmade designs. Whether in cooking or in everyday life, Linda put hard work and love into everything she did.
Lin’s intelligence in art didn’t end with painting and cooking. Her immense talents in the art world carried over into knitting, quilting, pottery, tiles, terracotta, raku ware, ovenware, stoneware, chinaware, crocheting, ceramics, porcelains, and clay. She kept her many skills alive throughout her entire life. Linda’s magical hands could turn the simplest item into a breathtaking and astonishing treasure. For their 25th Wedding Anniversary, Lin’s husband Dennis would buy her one of the biggest hobbyist kilns made for the time, allowing her imaginative ingenuity inventiveness to always bloom.
Linda Jean’s determination and drive took route as she co-owned and managed, with her mother Virginia and father James, the first dry cleaning business in Granada Hills, California. Lin’s brilliance in mathematics and management molded her into a perfect accountant in business.
It was while she was working at her family owned business when a metallic blue 64 and a half Ford Mustang pulled in. The door slowly opened and out stepped what she recalls “The most perfect 6’5” Danish gentleman.” Stunning jade-eyed Linda Jean informed additional worker lassies “stand back, he’s mine.” Their eyes met as he walked across the threshold of the dry cleaners. Instantaneously, their hearts beat as one—she his princess and he her prince Dennis A. Eriksen.
Dennis, being the proper gentleman, asked Lin’s father for her hand in marriage. James answered “yes!” Linda Jean Chulufas and Dennis Albert Eriksen were married. Linda not only made all her bridesmaids dresses, flower arrangements, and gifts, she also designed and handmade her own bridal gown. Linda Jean’s breathtaking awe-inspiring exquisiteness on her wedding day endured throughout her life. Her husband Dennis for over fifty years continues faithfully calling Lin his bride instead of wife. If Linda would have painted the portrayal of a perfect marriage as a little girl, it would be the astounding, everlasting, and unconditional love they share together.
On Linda and Dennis’ 2nd Thanksgiving as husband and wife, Linda gave birth to her first-born son, Karl (Carol) Eriksen. A few years later gave birth to her youngest son, Craig (Kimberly) Eriksen. Linda’s love and tenderness for her two sons radiated every day of her remarkable life.
Linda volunteered to lead Project Success, a preschool program, at the local elementary school. She was a Den Mother for her son’s cub scouts, and a parent leader for their boy scout troop for almost a decade directing, teaching and helping them focus leveling up in achievements for every badge which the boys proudly accomplished. Linda under no circumstance, missed an open house, school meeting, PTA meeting, school function, church function, athletic event or even a doctor’s appointment with her children. Parenting her two boys was one of the greatest achievements in Linda’s life and she took great pride in it. She nurtured her children through tended bumps, kissed bruises and the occasional sneaking off with the family vehicles. Linda prided herself in becoming the best mother she could be, without a doubt accomplishing it. She never gave up on her sons and tutored them herself making sure they always hit their milestones of Preschool, Elementary, Middle, High School, College Graduations or Ceremonies.
Linda loved and cherished her grandchildren. She preferred Xbox over Xbox360 and loved gaming with her grandson, Chadwick. Her preferred time to be Gaming Grandma was between midnight and 4 a.m. One of her favorite musical groups is Abba and spent hours dancing to Abba’s tunes on the Wii. She adored and admired all her grandchildren: Chadwick, Ashley, Stephanie, Matt and Sean. She looked forward to each moment she could spend with them and took great pride in expressing all their accomplishments. Linda Jean loves every one of them unconditionally, flaws seize to exist. They are all perfect because they are part of her and her many blessings.
She loved Cars, Soaring over the World, Soaring over California, It’s A Small World, Frozen the Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pineapple Dole Whip, Beignets, Mickey’s Halloween Treat, Christmastime at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Disney time was her time to wear all her Disney inspired outfits from her shoes to her ears. Disney ears, that is. If it has to do with Walt Disney, Lin was in. She tried to see as many movies at the El Capitan in Hollywood, as well as, every Disney movie made.
If Elvis Presley is playing stand back because Linda Jean would get her boogie on dancing just about anyone under the table. She took dance lessons for over a decade and has never missed one episode of Dancing with the Stars.
Linda’s always been an avid reader owning every Danielle Steele, Steven King, J.K. Rowling and Castle novel just to name a few. One of her favored quotes is from Shannon Alder “A coward talks to everyone but you.” Linda Jean’s welcomed advice, cherished wisdom and stories live on through all.
She fancied travel beginning with her honeymoon in Spain and through many business and pleasure trips with Dennis. She especially enjoyed visiting her adopted Danish family. Her many travels even took her to Saudi Arabia - A Prince gave her a beautiful music box which she enjoyed very much.
Linda Jean founded, co-owned and perfected ATI Systems with her husband, Dennis. For over twenty-six years Linda Jean guided large scale manufacturing teams, as well as, hundreds and hundreds of heavy construction project teams to partner for success. Linda’s extraordinary facilitating skills instructed representatives of project’s owner agencies, designers, and contractors on over $4 billion worth of projects. She led them in developing commitments to cooperation, open communication, shared goals for first-rate success. Linda Jean helped transform an entire industry to achieve superior project results through exceptional trust and outstanding cooperation.
Linda Jean was Christened at birth, baptized in elementary school and reconfirmed her faith in February of 2018. Linda worshiped her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and showed the world everyday—not by words but by her actions. She had many charities, The Society for the Blind, PBS, Dog charities, Cat charities, Center for Mothers and Children just to name a few. Beware of false profits, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them buy their fruits. Matthew 7:15 In other words Lin liked to express “Maybe if they spent less time saying God’s name and more time doing God’s work or in everyday actions” she did just that every day of her life.
Linda endured serious illnesses since 1982. She handled them all with grace and an exceptionally positive attitude. All Linda Jean’s nurses and doctors loved and took amazing care of her. “To know her was to love her” every physician and specialist commented. They would all say she is the happiest person they had ever seen, and she always had a smile on her face no matter what she was going through. She passed peacefully in her sleep on August 17, 2019.
The days are harder without you whilst our hearts ache of all the hugs we’ll miss. Yet, your love endures through our souls still feeling the warmth of your kiss.
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