I’m Linda’s younger brother, John Stocker, to whom Linda often referred as her “little brother” and who has many fond memories of her.
In the early 1950s we lived in a brownstone neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, just blocks away from Wrigley Field. There were plenty of kids around…so no shortage of fun and mischief. Linda often reminisced about how when she was 6 that her big brother, Allan, who was 8 at the time, stood up for her by fighting Bruce White, the incorrigible boy down the street who had somehow wronged her. She cherished that memory: one of her hero caring enough about her to come home bloodied from a battle in her defense.
In 1955 our family moved from Chicago to a home in Skokie, Illinois. Years later, at age 20, Linda became the beautiful bride of Bill Pfannerstill of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Subsequently, as a young mother, she often referred to her children as “what life is all about.” Linda had good insight. Something I’ve always remembered was her view on relationships, especially in selecting a mate: “You want someone you like…and who likes you.” That sounds so obvious and trite but really is profound and grounded.
Others appreciated her wisdom, as well. In the late ‘80s, she and I happened to work for the same software company, where she excelled in sales. Interestingly enough, her interpersonal skills turned a disgruntled programmer’s negative attitude into a very positive one—that happening after Linda took time to meet with him privately one-to-one. Afterwards, everyone seemed amazed at the suddenly upbeat attitude of Matthew. “How did she do THAT?” was the question most asked of me. The answer: “She’s just good with people.”
Linda certainly was that— along with a lot of fun, someone always willing to provide cheerful company on new adventures. She was an artist who created beautiful images on paper and canvas, and she liked to write. She hoped to one day finish her favorite story, Carved In Stone, an eerie thriller about kids living in a small, Wisconsin town.
Wisconsin was the setting for much of her early married life, not only in the Milwaukee area but in Green Bay, where Linda enjoyed living in a house so close to the water that you could hear the waves lapping. She loved giving her children the opportunity to live so idyllically. It was in Green Bay where she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which seemed to suit her well, as the LDS Church emphasized family values. It wasn’t too long after the move to northern Wisconsin that her husband coincidentally became the sales manager for an insurance company in Salt Lake City, Utah, the seat of the LDS Church. It was there that her children started families of their own.
There are many heartwarming incidences involving Linda—too many to mention in a simple eulogy. Anyone who knew her feels the pain of having to say goodbye to someone so willing to say hello. We’ll all miss you, Linda, and wish you Godspeed to your husband’s side in Heaven.
She is survived by her brothers Allan Stocker and John Stocker, daughter Jenny (Pfannerstill) Maldonado (Joe), grandchildren Samantha, Meghan, and William Brand, her son Michael Pfannerstill (Missy), granddaughter Bailey (Pfannerstill) Gibbons (Josh), grandson Colten Pfannerstill, her daughter Parrish (Pfannerstill) Fleenor, granddaughter Katie Robinson (Trey) & great-granddaughter Kaeli, as well as many beloved family members and friends
The Pfannerstill family is inviting you to celebrate the life of Linda Pfannerstill via Zoom
Topic: Linda Pfannerstill Celebration of LIfe
Time: Feb 6, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 981 2428 5083
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