Former ND First Lady dies

Former North Dakota First Lady Grace Link has died
Grace Link served as First Lady from 1971 until 1981.
Governor Art Link passed away in 2010. Art and Grace were married for 71 years. Funeral arrangements are pending. She was 105.

U.S. Senator John Hoeven statement:
“At 105 years old, Grace was witness to pivotal moments in the history of our state and nation, and as a lifelong North Dakotan and longtime public servant, she helped shape the growth of our state to the benefit of her fellow citizens. We look back with gratitude for her efforts to preserve our heritage, her advocacy on behalf of educators and students and the tremendous kindness she showed to those who had the benefit of knowing her. Mikey and I join her family and friends in honoring her memory and offer her loved ones our prayers in their time of mourning.”

Governor Doug Burgum statement:
“A partner to Gov. Art Link in every sense of the word, Grace Link was a dedicated and passionate public servant to both the state of North Dakota and our nation. Her strong belief in preserving and promoting the history of North Dakota continues to benefit our residents to this day in facilities such as the North Dakota Heritage Center and the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site. As Gov. Link’s partner and political confidant, her time as first lady was impactful, driven by compassion and commitment to the citizens of North Dakota and the Bismarck community in which she lived. Those who had the good fortune of meeting her were always touched by her genuine kindness, warm smile and innate toughness from her upbringing as a farmer’s daughter during the Great Depression. Kathryn and I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the Link family and all the friends and former colleagues of Grace and Art Link – one of North Dakota’s truly legendary couples.”

PHOTO:  ND Historical Society