Linda Friesen Deasy
1922 - 2021
Goessel, Kansas - Linda Friesen Deasy, of Goessel, Kansas
passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021, at Bethesda Home at the age of
ninety-nine. She was born on February 8, 1922, in Goessel, KS, the daughter of
Daniel B. and Suzie (Goertzen) Friesen.
Linda grew up on the family farm just East of Goessel. She
often told stories about love and fun shared between her siblings and her
cousins. She was blessed with a loving family. The events of the world affected
her childhood. She often told stories about the depression and the dust bowl.
She would describe the dark clouds of dust and the hard times that all farm
families experienced.
Linda graduated from Goessel High School with the Class of
1941. Soon after graduation, during WWII Linda went to work for the Herald
Press in Newton, KS as a typesetter. After the War she decided to become a
nurse and attended Nursing School. In 1950, she graduated from the Bethel
Deaconess School of Nursing. Linda worked as a registered nurse at Bethel
Deaconess Hospital in Newton, KS. She continued her career in Spokane, WA
working at several hospitals and nursing homes and retiring in the mid 1980's.
On October 9, 1952, Linda was united in marriage to Thomas
Jefferson Deasy. They spent their married life in Washington. Linda and Jeff
enjoyed a full life. They shared a love for gardening and travel. Every year
the family traveled to the Goessel area to visit family. Those trips were a
special time that included reunion with the family, many milkshakes and side
trips along the way to interesting places.
Linda was a loving daughter, wife, and mother. She
temporally returned to Kansas to care for her Mother as she was dying of
cancer. After Jeff died, she moved to Sumner, WA to be closer to her daughters,
Linda Gayle and Colleen. She was a loving grandmother and was always willing to
help and care for her grandchildren. She moved to Goessel, KS in 2000 to be
near and supportive of Linda Gayle after her move from Sumner to Goessel.
Linda was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in
Spokane. She was an active member of United Methodist Women and was the chair
of her circle for many years. She volunteered as a Camp Fire Girls leader for
15 years, as a homeroom mother, and performed many other acts of service to her
community and church. She was baptized in her youth at Alexanderwohl Mennonite
Church and was again a member after she returned to Goessel.
Linda resided at Bethesda Home in Goessel, KS for ten years.
She often said that Bethesda was home. Over the years many people cared for
Linda at Bethesda. The family is grateful for all the loving staff members who
over the years cared deeply for Linda. Words cannot express how much the love
and care she received at Bethesda has meant to the family.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Colleen D. Olleman and
her husband Mark of Bellevue, WA; and four grandchildren, Shawn Rath and his
wife Rachel, Kris Rath and his wife Ella, Katie Olleman and Daniel Olleman. She
is also survived by Brian Kaufman, who adopted Linda Gayle's surviving
children; and her nieces and nephews who have been a special part of her life.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Jefferson
Deasy; parents, Dan and Susie Friesen; daughter, Linda Rath; granddaughters,
Emma Rath and Maggie Rath; stepson Warren Deasy; and four siblings; Elmer
Friesen, Martha Goerzen, Wilma Martens, and Randolf Friesen.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday,
December 8, 2021, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Cemetery. Friends may pay
their respects to Mrs. Deasy from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at
Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel, KS. (Due to covid concerns, the immediate
family will not be present.) A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled
and announced at a later date. Please, in lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to Bethesda Home and sent in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, P.O. Box 96,
Goessel, Kansas 67053
