Linda (Koeppen) Wanserski

Linda (Koeppen) Wanserski

Our beloved Linda / Lin / Linny / Mom / Molly / Aunt Linda / Mops died peacefully at home on Tuesday October 19, 2021.

Linda was born on September 28, 1947 in Janesville, WI and spent her childhood in Walworth, WI. She was valedictorian at Big Foot High School and went on to major in mathematics at UW-Madison, proudly failing a course titled Marriage and Family. She left college to pursue her dream of wearing wings, joining Continental Airlines as a flight attendant, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the Vietnam Military Air Command.

Linda moved to Wausau, WI to start and raise a family with her husband, Jim Wanserski, to whom she was married for over 46 years. She loved giving back to the Wausau community - volunteering at Aspirus Wausau Hospital gift shop for over 15 years, helping with the Festival of Trees, advocating for breast cancer survivors, and giving countless hours to supporting her kids’ activities - Brownie leader, classroom aid, Woodsy Owl, and sideline cheerleader.

As a founding investor/member of Greenwood Hills Country Club, Vistas Development, and The Reserve Linda showcased her love for flowers and nature. Her smile, infectious enthusiasm, and welcoming demeanor were her trademark in the neighborhood.

Her passion was for nature – she was an accomplished gardener, loved wild birds and listening to frogs, and was happiest amongst her flowers. She enjoyed teaching the neighborhood kids about the cycle of life (while single-handedly saving the Monarch species). If you were fortunate enough to know her, she would show her appreciation for you by dropping off a miniature rose in a small vase.

But by far her most important and fulfilling accomplishment was her family. She made her home open and welcome to everyone, greeting them with rice krispie treats, mini cupcakes and freshly baked cookies. She possessed a great sense of humor and positivity in any situation, often giving her advice, “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.”

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Mel Koeppen, and is survived by her husband Jim, and children Katy (Christopher) Lee and grandson Felix, Zürich Switzerland; Dr. Melissa (Nathaniel Shultz) Wanserski, Salt Lake City, UT; Shelly (Jason) Dailey and granddaughter Elliot, Minneapolis, MN; and Jeffrey (Anita Hartley) Wanserski, Steamboat Springs, CO and siblings Judy (Joseph) Wanserski; Dr. Stephen (Tess) Koeppen; and Richard (Becky) Koeppen, and a very large and loved extended family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum or Monk Gardens, two of Linda’s favorite places. A celebration of life happy hour and fish fry is planned for Friday, October 29 at Greenwood Hills Country Club from 4:30 – 7:30pm.