MONROE - It's not what you know, it's who you know. For Linda Gebhardt, it might just be both.

If she isn't related to someone anywhere she goes, she at least knows a few people. And she uses those connections along with her people skills and her generous nature to reach out and give back to her community, her county and her family while enjoying life and being grateful for the simple things that surround her.

Gebhardt was born in Monroe but grew up in Argyle. She said she had family everywhere and her memories of Argyle were mostly enjoying the library and being a part of band and chorus. She was on the school newspaper and excelled in typing, even winning a typing competition. She's happy the Argyle High School Class of 1974 is still so close.

Gebhardt was married at 18 and had two children. She and her husband, Rudy, lived in South Wayne and Gebhardt stayed busy with her own in-home childcare. The Argyle native felt welcomed in the small town and said it was an easy community to get involved with.

At age 23, Gebhardt and Rudy took the EMT class. At the time, people in town were campaigning for help and a large group joined together, and it's been where the Gebhardts have developed such close friendships they still hold dear today.

They served on the rescue squad for 26 years. "There are heartbreaking things that stay in your head," she said of her time as an EMT. "But there are still great things - especially when you can help somebody."

Once her children started school, Gebhardt worked for a while at a cheese plant until one day she was hit by a drunk driver in Monroe. That's when she looked at life a little differently and started thinking about what she wanted to do. She decided to go back to school.

For two years, Gebhardt drove from South Wayne to Southwest Technical College in Fennimore, studying to be an information specialist. She did well, graduating with honors - and a new perspective.

She landed a job first at Iroquois Foundry before receiving a call from First National Bank in Monroe. She then moved to Amcore Bank. She was hand-picked again, this time by South Wayne's F&M Bank where she managed the office for four years.

But when she was asked to head up the Donor Services for the Community Foundation of Southwest Wisconsin for Green and Lafayette counties 14 years ago, the position was the perfect fit.

"I think I really found my passion at the Community Foundation," Gebhardt said. "I believe in this place or I wouldn't be here."

The group at the foundation is always leaving each other positive notes, or quotes to remind each other that anyone can do anything - whether it's giving your time, your talents or your treasurers - and Gebhardt lives by those positive affirmations.

Since Gebhardt began, the foundation has evolved and grown. The $45 million organization serves nine counties and Gebhardt heads up Green and Lafayette, which has the smallest population of all of the groups but also has the most community funds.

"I am so proud of Green and Lafayette counties and the area I work and serve," she said. "Before I saw the numbers, I was surprised - but I wasn't surprised."

Gebhardt's job is 25 hours per week, but she always makes time for whatever is needed. She said over the years, she's learned balance but also simply loves helping people and donors reach their goals.

"I probably get too involved," she said with a laugh. "I think I should probably learn to say "no' more."

Five years ago, she was back in Fennimore at Southwest Technical College giving the commencement speech, coming full circle after truly chasing her dream and finding her passion.

Her husband served as the longtime Lafayette County coroner and in 2015, Gebhardt decided she would take the reins after serving as his deputy for several years. Although she gets some strange looks when she tells people what she does, she said she knows how important the position is.

"It's such an important job," she said. "You deal with family dynamics, insurance companies and advocate for the family. It's a part of life - not always a part you want to deal with - but we keep it dignified and respectful."

Because Gebhardt is so widely known, many feel relieved to see her during such a hard time and feel comfortable asking questions, and Gebhardt is glad for that.

Gebhardt said she also very much enjoys being a Kiwanis member and is a past president. She initially joined thinking it would be a good networking group but said the day she walked in it was like she had known everyone for a lifetime. She especially took hold of a program offering up iPads for autistic children, something that's near and dear to her heart.

She received the Wisconsin Upper Michigan District Distinguished President's Award as well while leading the group.

She is also the Women's WELCA President at Apple Grove Church and helps with Jacob's S.W.A.G. Foundation, which is also dear to her. While her children were in high school, she served on the Mother's Club at Black Hawk High School. She enjoys quilting when she has time, and both she and Rudy volunteer at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe giving tours. For the past three years, they have also helped the group make their famous grilled cheese sandwiches.

But Gebhardt's life hasn't been without challenge. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and two years ago, Rudy underwent a liver transplant that nearly took his life.

"They were life-altering things - the things you never expect to happen to you," she said. Looking back, Gebhardt isn't sure how she managed six months of chemotherapy before daily radiation without taking a sick day, but she did.

"I can probably be a little too tough for my own good," she said. But it was the support in her life that's something she hasn't soon forgotten. It might have even been work, she said, that helped her handle it all. In the midst of everything, she even made funeral plans for Rudy, whose outlook was grim.

"I just kept going. His brother and the kids would come so I could work," she said.

Rudy pulled through, and the couple now feels so blessed to be in contact with the donor family from Rudy's transplant, a 19-year-old girl from Michigan, that they have become advocates for organ and tissue donation.

Traveling is something they have always enjoyed; they are just returning from their fourth trip to Switzerland to spend time with family and friends they've kept in touch with over the years.

Both have very deep Swiss roots. Rudy's father moved here at age 19 from Switzerland and the Wyttenbach side traces back to 1450 in Switzerland. Those roots have also gotten Gebhardt into genealogy. She's the fourth oldest of 135 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"It reminds you of how small you are," she said. "It's amazing when you look at the big picture."

Gebhardt now lives in the Wiota area in Rudy's parent's home in the country. Her hobbies include her chickens, ducks, goats, flower garden and birds. She said she's found a love for the country home and happily shares a recording on her phone of the frogs singing at night from her deck.

"I've embraced the country life," she said. "I never thought I would. I just love it."

Photography has been an outlet for her and she uses her nature photographs to send a card to those around her - remembering how much it meant to her to receive a card during her own tough times.

She's also a part of a breast cancer support group and helps drive friends to chemotherapy. She works hard to raise awareness for people and open some eyes to pay it forward to those who helped her family out in their time of need.

Gebhardt also knows just how important family is and loves spending time with her children and three grandchildren and is happy she was able to help look after them when they were younger. Her daughter, Tracy, is also very involved, and Gebhardt said she knows exactly where she gets it.