MDN File Photo North Dakota First Lady Grace Link and Gov. Art Link are shown at a steam threshers reunion in New Rockford in this September 1978 photo. Grace Link died Tuesday. Art Link died in 2010.

BISMARCK – Former First Lady Grace Link, who served alongside her husband during his long political career in North Dakota, has died.

Link, 105, died Tuesday, according to a statement from her family.

“She was a remarkable woman, and her legacy transcends her role as a former First Lady of North Dakota and political figure; she was a beacon of love, kindness, resilience, and community spirit. She was a special person,” her family said in a statement.

The wife of former Gov. Art Link, Grace Link served alongside her husband through a political career spanning terms in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1946-70, including serving as Speaker of the House from 1964-70, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971-73 and as the 27th governor of North Dakota from 1973-81. Art Link died in 2010.

“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,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “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.”

North Dakota lost an icon today,” North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said Tuesday. “Grace has been an inspiration to generations of Democratic-NPLers, especially women who were moved to get more involved because of her passion, and to whom Grace gave sage advice. She represented the best of our Dem-NPL to which she was so committed: integrity, respect, belief in democracy, and citizen activism.”

Bob and Marge Valeu, close friends of the Links for many years, stated, “Grace was a role model on what it takes to be a good and kind person. Grace embodied the spirit of North Dakota. An awesome lady, dedicated to community service. A North Dakota treasure who will be missed dearly.”

For many years, the Democratic-NPL has given the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award to North Dakotans who embody the same sense of service to their state and country. In November 2023, Link was named the honorary chair of the Demo-NPL Century Club, a fundraising unit that supports the Democratic-NPL work. Friends said Link was also a phenomenal pie maker and keen fundraiser. Her coveted lemon meringue pies would go for hundreds of dollars at local Democratic-NPL events.

Born in 1918, Grace witnessed the ebb and flow of history, family members said.

“Her unwavering commitment to service touched countless lives and was only outmatched by her love of family, friends and the state of North Dakota. Her warm smile and genuine interest in people made her a beloved figure across the state. At 105 years old, Grace continued to inspire. Her wisdom, grace, and dedication to her family and community service set an example for generations. As First Lady, she championed causes close to her heart: education, preservation of history and the well-being of North Dakotans,” their statement read.

Funeral arrangements and a Celebration of Life are pending.