Linda Friesen Deasy

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 temporarily 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 was held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, Kansas. The service can be livestreamed via Zoom link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89101029345?pwd=MUR1ajhpWmtlNW9CdGhBNE1KYnZHZz09#success. 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.

Linda Friesen Deasy

February 8, 1922 - December 3, 2021