Linda Lou (Friedl) Zielke

Linda Lou Zielke, age 76, of Medford, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Rib Lake Health Services.

A memorial service for Linda will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Medford, with Pastor Bob Giese and Barb Krug, SAM officiating. Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Spirit at a later date. Visitation will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

Linda was born on January 12, 1949 in Merrill, WI, the daughter of John and Kordula (Plass) Friedl. Linda moved to Marengo, IL at the age of 5 with her parents. She attended Marengo School.

In 1966, Linda moved back to Merrill, WI and lived with her brother, Ray & Marion Dickleman, where she worked as Montgomery Ward. Linda met Richard Zielke, August 25, 1966 at a wedding reception and they were married January 21, 1967 at Zion Lutheran Church in Spirit, WI. In 1974 Richard and Linda purchased the Spirit Store on the corner of Highway 86 and 102. Together they ran the store until 1978. From 1979 to 1988 Linda worked at Magnuson’s Mink Ranch. In 1988, Richard and Linda moved to Prentice, WI and Linda worked as a cook at the Prentice Café. Later Linda worked at the Prentice IGA as a cashier and then in the deli until she retired.

Linda enjoyed many hobbies. Tending to the garden, playing cards and board games, singing in the church choir, quilting, active in the Church Ladies Club, volunteering at various food pantries and traveling. Most of all, Linda was a loving wife and mother to her children.

Linda is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard Zielke; son, Rick Zielke, Iowa; daughters, Christine Zielke (Edwin DeLasky), Tomahawk, WI and Tara Zielke, Wausau, WI. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Dell Dickleman, Osage Beach, MO and many nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, John and Kordula Friedl.

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