Gregory “Link” Linsten, 61, of Sparta, TN, passed away on 28 March 2022.

Born in International Falls, MN, to parents Patricia and Jerry, Link was a sibling to Kathy, Bruce, Michael, and Tammy. Link was fiercely passionate about service from the start and dedicated his life to both his pursuit of community and his family.

After he graduated, Link enlisted in the US Air Force, beginning a lifelong career in law enforcement. While in the service, Link was a police canine handler, rising to an instructor position where he groomed the future of new handlers. In 1985 Link left the Air Force to join the Leon Valley Police Department, where he worked until his retirement in 2014, including stints as a Patrol Sargeant and CID detective. Link put family first, always, and was a dedicated father to Luke and Levi. His children followed his call of service, Luke in the US Marine Corps and Levi in the US Intelligence Community.

Link was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive father. His passion and resolve were the foundation of his family. Link’s children were the great joy of his life, and he happily welcomed his first grandchild, Dexter, in 2019.

Link was also an animal lover and dog enthusiast. He spent most of his retirement hiking the parks of his newfound home in Tennessee. Link was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia, and leaves behind his father (Jerry), siblings (Kathy, Bruce and Linda, Michael and Julie, Tammy and Darron), children (Luke and Shelbie, Levi), and grandchild (Dexter). No services will be held at this time, and the family requests no donations or flowers be sent.