Linda Loula

Linda Loula passed away on December 8, 2023, at the Park Manor Nursing Home in hospice care after a yearlong battle with cancer at age 88. Ruth Linda Loula was born to Elmer Owen and Ruth Anne (Hummitzsch) Thomas on June 9,1935 on a small farm in the Town of Fifield. In 1941, the family moved to the town of Phillips where Linda attended school graduating in 1953.

She married Joseph D. Loula, on May 28, 1955, in Phillips. Married life began with a year-long move to Milwaukee followed by a return to Phillips where they stayed until 1958. Gripped by a desire for adventure, they quit their jobs and embarked on an Alaskan sojourn. Adventure did not disappoint, seeing the couple find new jobs, witness Alaska’s transition from territory to statehood, and behold many natural wonders they recalled fondly throughout their lives. After nine fulfilling months the pair returned to Phillips where they resided for the remainder of their 68-year marriage. 

Joe and Linda built their house on Little Elk River in 1962 creating a homestead they loved and lived on for 61 years. Linda held various jobs including bookkeeper, legal secretary, and tax preparer. An active community member, Linda served with Price County Historical Society, Save our School, Phillips Library, Happy Dancers Polka Club, and Trinity Lutheran Church. She excelled at homemaking, serving for many years with the Phillips Homemakers, including a stint as president. Adept at sewing, Linda handmade clothes for her family as well as costumes for her daughter's numerous acting roles. She also directed her energies into gardening, berry picking, canning, decorating, skiing, walking, making maple syrup, crafts, and knitting. 

Linda and Joe traveled by car to many places throughout the US. They operated as a great team on the road, Joe enjoying the drive and Linda telling him where to go! She researched and planned vacations, discovering interesting and little-known places to stay and visit, long before the luxury of the internet.

Linda loved mysteries, a trait that spurred her passion for genealogy. Much like her beloved literary and television detectives, she combed historical archives searching for clues to her family history. She was rewarded with a long list of American, English, Welsh, German, and French-Canadian ancestors including many Revolutionary War soldiers and even a 1620 Mayflower passenger. Never satisfied, she pushed on, tracing her English ancestry back to 1500. Her German ancestors were newcomers in comparison, arriving in Phillips in 1884.

She enjoyed talking and laughing with her family: husband Joseph, son Jeffrey (Amy Jo), and daughter Cara (Dean) Granholm, grandchildren Dylan and Lily Granholm as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Ruth, and brother William Thomas. She was survived by her husband Joseph.

Thank you to the Marshfield Hospice, especially Nicole, Sarah, Dawn, and volunteers Cindy and Debbie who made everything better with their presence and support. 

Linda loved the flower gardens she and Joe tended tirelessly every year. So, when the spring flowers arrive, please take a moment to think of her. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.