Linda Marie Thompson

She enjoyed 78 wonderful years, and was at complete peace with God’s timing and plan for her life.

Born on May 26, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Michael and Anne (Strizak) Zull, Linda grew up alongside her brother, Lawrence (Larry). Her best childhood memories include living in a beautiful apartment building occupied by multiple generations of her family. She particularly looked forward to Friday evenings with her grandmother, when they would watch classic horror movies and enjoy their weekly bottle of Coca-Cola together. Weekends were spent enjoying family picnics on Lake Michigan and attending Mass at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. Linda recalled receiving her First Holy Communion as a “beautiful, exquisite and perfect moment,” and a highlight of her childhood. She remained a woman of strong faith for the rest of her life.

Linda attended Good Counsel Catholic High School. She loved going to school dances and working on the school Yearbook Committee. She went on to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. It was there that she met her future husband, John D. “Jack” Thompson, as he held the door for her when they both arrived to class late. After class, he invited her out for coffee at the campus Steak n’ Shake and the rest was history: they married in August of 1968 and went on to settle in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she continued to live until mid-2022.

Professionally, Linda held roles as legal secretary at a number of law firms in the 1970’s, and then got out from behind the desk in the early 1980’s to become a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. She loved that her route kept her active, walking 10+ miles daily.

After retirement in 2000, Linda kept as busy as ever, even remarking in recent years that she was so busy that she needed a secretary! She enjoyed traveling as a “snowbird” to Arizona, where she would line-dance, attend noon Mass, dine out with friends and enjoy playing games such as Hand and Foot and Mexican Train. She also enjoyed visiting holy sites, attending concerts, hiking, biking and taking care of her precious grandchildren. Linda loved her family and friends and the memories of laughter, love and shared moments will endure.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, brother and husband.

She is survived by her adoring children, Jennifer (Shane) Newman, Jeff (Amy) Thompson, and four beautiful grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at: Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128.

10am Visitation. 11am Mass followed by Christian Burial. Luncheon to follow.