LINDA PHALEN

Kent (husband)

"She was the love of my life for 46 years."

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Linda was blessed with so many wonderful and unique qualities, but the following five attributes were the ones that made her truly special to me:

1. Unconditional love and support for her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, regardless of the situation.

2. Loved people, loved a party, loved to have fun, and loved to tell stories about the crazy bloopers her family members may have done.

3. “Linda language” was her trademark; Webster has rolled over in his grave too many times to count.

4. Linda was late for nearly everything her entire life, she was a multitasker without a sense for time or urgency.

5. Linda was “classy” in how she looked and in how she presented herself to the world.

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Shannon (daughter)

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How do you describe someone who makes the world brighter by their presence? The person that can take any situation, find the beauty and then shares it with all those around them. They take the fear we feel and turn it into hope and action. They love you so fiercely that you know no one can really hurt you. There are no words to do it justice. We felt my mom’s love every day. She was a mother like no other and a Grammy that would exceed any child’s fantasy.

Mom, you were always my rock that showed me nothing can fully break me down. You believed in the power of friendship and sharing love with others. You crossed every manmade boundary in your friendships and never held back on sharing it. You showed that by sharing your light with others it will never diminish our own but allow the world to grow brighter. You had a smile that was infectious and brought out the joyful laughter in others. Thank you for lighting us up for so long with your love and loyalty. We will carry it with us and continue to share it with others for all time."

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Candace (daughter)

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The first word that comes to mind when I think of my mom is "magical." She had this energy and love for life that was intoxicating and drew you in with that beautiful smile and contagious laugh. She was much more than just my mom. She was my wingman, there to help me celebrate not only my milestones and joys, but those of so many of my friends; I never threw a party without her. My mom was my ultimate shoulder to cry on. In my darkest moments, she was there. She wouldn’t only listen to me cry, but she would find a way to make me laugh because that’s what she was about, finding the positive in it all and not taking things too seriously. She was my friend. My favorite person to gossip with, to laugh with, to send those silly, inappropriate memes to, to shop with, to just call and talk about nothing with. She was my source of wisdom, guidance, and strength, as there is no one I have ever met that had more strength than her. My mom was the best Grandma Mimi to my children and while I wish that was a gift that never ended, I find comfort that Charlotte was able to know and love her for all that she was. That little girl misses her Grandma immensely. My heart breaks not only for myself, my family, her friends, and my daughter, but for my son, Leon, who never got the opportunity to experience the magical being that was my mom long enough for him to remember. But together, I know that we will keep her memory, her ultimate love for life, and her warrior strength alive in his heart.

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Robert (son)

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You were my greatest advocate, Mom, tirelessly defending and supporting me through all the years of my life. You had a warming light. You were raw and classy, vivacious and tender. Your presence brought energy to a room. When words betray me—catching in my throat, tangled in heartstring—your song remains. 

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Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

—R. Frost

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Born in Dixon, Illinois

   

JANUARY 31st, 1954

 

Linda Sue Phalen, 67, of Lakeville, Minnesota, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from metastatic breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, Kent, mother, Betty, and children, Robert (Melissa), Shannon (Jake), and Candace (Joe), as well as her six beautiful grandchildren and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Lee, brother, Greg, and sister, Leanne. ​

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Linda was born the middle child to Lee and Betty Combs. She spent her formative years in Freeport and Taylorville, Illinois, and attended nursing school at Decatur Memorial Hospital and Millikin University. In 1975, she married Kent, whom Lee described as a "feed peddler" but eventually grew to like. They had their first child (Robert) in Marion before moving to Burnsville, Minnesota, where their second (Shannon) was born. After a brief stint in Montgomery City, Missouri, they relocated to Sioux City, Iowa, where their third child (Candace) was delivered nine months after the historic 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl victory.

 

Meanwhile, Linda went back to school to pursue a teaching degree. Being the inveterate multitasker that she was, it didn't pan out. But an art appreciation course did lead to some fantastic papier-mâché masks. Linda returned to nursing after they moved back to Burnsville in 1987. She worked at United Hospital in Saint Paul until 1993, when the family moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. During those seven years she worked in home healthcare. Linda returned to United Hospital when she and Kent moved to Lakeville in 2001. At United, she worked numerous positions and was a valued mentor to many. In 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was declared cancer-free in August 2014. She retired from United in 2019, following which she volunteered at the Minnesota Zoo. She also volunteered at The Open Door Mobile Food Pantry. Cancer returned in October 2020; she fought valiantly, with unwavering strength and optimism, until the very end. 

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A BRIGHT AND WARMING LIGHT   Linda was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She loved her children and grandchildren immensely, and became a fabulous cook. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have experienced her warmth and unfaltering positivity.