Linda Ruth (Phillips) Mitchell

Mitchell, Linda Ruth

Our beloved Linda passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023, just short of her 80th birthday. 

Preceded in death by parents Warren and Ruth (Phillips) Winberg and sister Holly Crowell. Survived by loving husband of 26 years, James; sister Lee (Charles) Beard; daughter Kelly (Patrick) Regan; sons Todd Bruce and David Mitchell; granddaughters Ruby and Hazel Bruce and Polly and Nola Regan; and former husband David Bruce.

Linda was a beautiful and loving soul, who had a positive impact on everyone she touched. She could light up any room with her quick smile and her beautiful, twinkling eyes. She never forgot a birthday, always sending a lovely, hand-selected card sprinkled with her own heartfelt words to lucky friends and family members.

Born in New Orleans on September 22, 1943, she was raised in West Des Moines, Iowa--a loving sibling to her younger twin sisters. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1965 with a degree in journalism. Always an excellent writer and editor, she made her professional career in that field. Following time as a homemaker, Linda re-entered the workforce and excelled as a resume specialist in the outplacement division of Personnel Decisions, Inc.

After marrying Jim in 1997, she focused on being an outstanding wife, mother, and Nana to her four beloved granddaughters. Her family was her greatest joy, and everyone knew it. She also collaborated with Jim to promote ethical business leadership through their 23-year sponsorship of the Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services.

Linda loved to travel, and she and Jim visited many countries in Europe and Africa, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, and even Papua New Guinea. She was always curious, feisty, and courageous, learning to both ski and scuba dive in her 50’s.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which began to impair her capabilities but did not rob her of her spirit. Even as she gradually succumbed to the disease, she remained the same kind and loving person she always was, sharing her love with all who knew her.

A Celebration of Linda’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25 at Wayzata Community Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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