Linda Malsack

Linda Jean (Schiller) Malsack, age 66 of Montello (Lake Puckaway) passed away February 23, 2018.  Linda was born in Madison on June 26, 1951 to Eugene and Alfrieda (Eckert) Schiller.  Following Alfrieda’s unexpected passing when Linda was 4, Eugene married Bertha “Birdie” Endres. Birdie and Gene together raised their close-knit family of five kids.  Linda graduated from Madison East High School in 1969 and from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1973.  While in college, she met the love of her life, Phil Malsack. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding in the woods at Lake Arrowhead Campground on September 8, 1973.

Linda moved to Montello to take on building up a business and played a vital role owning and operating Lake Arrowhead Campground. She managed and directed the daily operations of her family's business starting in 1975.  Linda and her family have been longtime members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montello. Linda believed in the power of volunteering, leading Lutheran Pioneers and coaching cheerleaders at St John's; she was also a founding and charter member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Marquette County and worked with the Marquette County Youth Commission.  Linda’s greatest joy was her family and she will be remembered as a great wife, sister, mother, and Oma. Linda was an avid reader and a world traveler, visiting many countries spread over 4 continents. She loved to vacation near the water, and in recent years, she spent much of her time boating on Lake Tomahawk in the summer and in the Florida Keys in the winter. She traveled extensively with her family, and she made many great memories while snorkeling in the Caribbean, boiling lobsters on the beach, touring biergartens in Germany, hiking to waterfalls, boating and exploring canyons on Lake Powell, and making homemade pasta in Italy.

Linda leaves behind Phil, her husband of 45 years, and three children: Adam (Rachelle) Malsack of Montello, Jessica (Mustapha Ampeh) Malsack of Portage, and Emily (Alex) Truell of Montello as well as three grandchildren: Audrey Rose, Ekow Laurence, and Ivy Jean.  She is also survived by siblings: Alan (Dorothy “Dottie”) Endres, Dr. John (Amy) Shiller, Carole (Rob) Howard, and Karen (Bob) Goodwin and several other extended family members.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Alfrieda, and stepmother, Birdie.

A funeral for Linda Malsack will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montello.  Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church and again on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the hour of service.  Pastor Pete Zietlow will preside and burial will follow at the Emmanuel (Big Mecan) Lutheran Cemetery, town of Mecan.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to:  UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family.  www.CrawfordFH.com