Lincoln R. "Link" Walker, 84, of Eau Claire died at his home on Friday, May 28, 2010. He was born in Eau Claire on March 19, 1926, to Palmer and Inga (Kjustad) Walker.\r\nLink graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following honorable discharge, Link attended Eau Claire State Teachers College (UW-EC) where he lettered in football and baseball. Following graduation he married Jean Ann Rathbun on August 5, 1950.\r\nLink taught and coached high school football at Elco, Abbotsford, Stanley, and Antigo before returning to Eau Claire in 1962 to serve as assistant football coach for the UW-EC Blugolds. During these years he earned his M.S. at UW-LaCrosse and Ph.D. at the University of Northern Colorado. In 1968 he was named head football coach at UW-EC. During his 19-year tenure he was the winningest coach in Blugold history. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame, the Blugold Hall of Fame and the Old Abe Hall of Fame.\r\nLink was an active member of University Lutheran Church. He loved God, his family, friends, coaches, players and the game of football.\r\nHe is survived by Jean Ann, his wife of 59 years; two daughters, Susan (Richard) Cochrane of Eau Claire and Sally (Mark) Hinders of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho; and grandchildren Kelsey and Taylor Cochrane and Casey and Gabe Hinders. He was preceded in death by his parents. \r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at First Lutheran Church, with Pastor Alan Buresh of University Lutheran Church presiding. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire where American Legion Post #53 will present military graveside honors. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. \r\nMemorials may be given in Link's honor to the Blugold Football Program through the UW-EC Foundation or Northwest Wisconsin Home Care and Hospice, PO Box 2060, Eau Claire, WI 54702. \r\nTo express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com

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