Linda Hogeland Schlender, vice president of sales for Meadowcraft, passed away on Nov. 4 after a brief illness. She was 67.
Hogeland was a 50-year, dedicated employee of Meadowcraft and loved the patio furniture industry. She started working for Meadowcraft just after High School as a receptionist and worked her way up through the company, eventually being named national sales manager.
She also represented Meadowcraft as a sales representative in the early 2000s, along with representing Castelle and Gloster. In 2008 she went back to become the national sales manager for Meadowcraft where she worked every day until her death.
“She knew how to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room, and she was loved and respected by her current and former colleagues and customers,” Schlender’s nephew Keith told Casual News Now. “Linda was truly an icon in the patio furniture industry, and she made an impact on everyone she came in contact with.”
Rory Rehmert, senior vice president of sales at Castelle, worked closely with Schlender for nearly 20 years at Meadowcraft. He reached out to Casual News Now with these comments:
“Linda and I first met when I joined Meadowcraft in 1991,” he said. “Working alongside Linda was always a pleasure. She was a hardworking, honest and sincere person with tremendous passion for the brand. She would take on any task given that would elevate the brand and was a true asset to the company. Very few companies have employees like Linda who dedicated 50 years of her life to one business. She always put the company first and was loved by her sales team and customers.”
She is survived by her mother, Eloise, brother Stan, and Stan’s wife, Susan, who she considered a sister that she never had. She was also close to her niece and nephew, Krisi Handley (Chase) and Keith Hogeland (Diana).
“Linda loved her family and spoke of them often,” Rehmert added. “Her mom, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece meant the world to her. She enjoyed time spent with them at the beach and in the Smoky Mountains. Her holidays were always spent surrounded by her family. My daughters grew up while I was at Meadowcraft and they referred to Linda as Aunt Linda. Her passing hit us all hard. She will be remembered as, first and foremost, a warm, friendly, loving person with a great personality.”
Memorials can be made to Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Linda’s family said in her obituary that she had a passion for children, especially those in need.
