Phyllis Linder, 91

Phyllis Linder passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at the Lutheran Home in River Falls.

She was born Feb. 12, 1918, to Dennis and Nellie (Buckley) Golden of the El Paso Township. She graduated from the Spring Valley High School in 1935, and then the two-year education course from the River Falls Teachers College. Phyllis taught in rural schools in Pierce County for 12 years.

Phyllis married Vernon Linder on July 20, 1940, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in El Paso, Wis.

She returned to school and earned a B.S. degree from Wisconsin State University in River Falls and an M.A. degree in educational psychology curriculum and reading specialist from the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis. Phyllis spent 26 years in the Prescott, Wis., public school system. During the last 15 years, she held the positions of elementary principal, coordinator of special services and reading specialist. She was instrumental in obtaining federal funds to start the Title I program for disabled readers. She also started the special education programs for the Prescott public school systems.

Her parents; her brother, Allen Golden; her sister, Louise Bauer; and her husband, Vernon, preceded Phyllis in death.

She is survived by a daughter, Donna (Douglas) Fellman of Westland, Mich., and by a son, Dennis (Lynn) Linder of River Falls, Wis. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Eric and Amy Fellman of Westland, Mich., Melisa (Dean) Strehlo of Minneapolis, Minn., and Justine (Darren) Kray of Mahtomedi, Minn.; and also by four great-grandchildren, Elisabeth and Julia Kray, and Seth and Olivia Strehlo. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Margaret Golden of Elmwood, Wis.

After retirement, Phyllis became active in volunteer work; namely, chairman of the Ellsworth Red Cross Bloodmobile for 17 years; treasurer of the Ellsworth Public Library for six years; member of the Pierce County Red Cross Committee; and coordinator of the Extraordinary Minister of St. Francis Parish for many years. She loved helping others and was always ready to lend a helping hand where needed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth with Father Tom Donaldson officiating. Interment will bein the church cemetery with Eric Fellman, Doug Fellman, Justine Kray, Melisa Strehlo, Dean Strehlo, Darren Kray, and Gayle Closmore as pallbearers and Barry Golden, Amy Fellman, and Jeff Closmore as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Monday at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the Lutheran Home in River Falls for her appreciation of six years of compassionate and loving care.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hillfuneralservice.com. Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Ellsworth is assisting the family with arrangements.