Linda Demel, of Shakopee (formerly of Bloomington), passed away December 21, 2019 at the age of 77. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Road) in Shakopee. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside, and Linda’s granddaughter will be her urn bearer.
On July 7, 1942, Linda Ann Tucker was born to parents Wilbur & Margaret (Shannon) Tucker. Linda was one of eleven children. She enjoyed growing up in Pierpont, SD and made the most of small-town life. Linda especially enjoyed trips to the local drug store for a Brown Derby Sundae. She kept busy with school and friends. Linda also worked three jobs: at the local movie theater, her school and babysitting for local families.
The day after graduating from Pierpont High School, Linda moved to Minneapolis. She quickly found a job and an apartment. She enjoyed her independence, but always had a close group of friends. One night, Linda met a handsome young man named Tom Demel at a pub in St. Paul. They hit it off, and Tom invited Linda to be his date for an upcoming wedding. As time went on, their love grew deeper. Tom & Linda were married on April 8, 1967. They lived a few places before settling in Bloomington to raise their family. They were blessed with two daughters, Rene and Kaye.
As a family, they enjoyed spending time outdoors. They’d take hikes, go on family picnics and take walks around the Minneapolis chain of lakes. Tom and Linda also took their girls on many family road trips. Over the years, they visited Virginia, the Black Hills and the Wisconsin Dells. When their girls were older, Tom and Linda always enjoyed when they’d come home for a visit. They hosted an annual Fourth of July party at their community pool so family and friends had a fun place to celebrate the holiday. Whether it was taking in a local parade or just hanging out by the pool, the Demel family always had a great time together.
Linda worked as an administrative assistant in the insurance industry. She was a hard worker and enjoyed the accounting work she did for many years. In retirement, Linda was able to spend more time pursuing the hobbies she shared with Tom.
As a couple, they enjoyed square dancing, bowling and spending time with friends. Linda kept in touch with three women who had grown up in Pierpont and now lived near the Twin Cities. The four gals and their husbands made up the South Dakota Gang. They enjoyed going out for dinner, taking road trips and visiting local casinos. One time the crew visited seven casinos in just two days. Linda and Tom couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends over the years.
Linda was a fun-loving woman. She had a kind heart and was a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 53 years, Tom Demel; daughters, Rene (Brian) Fideler and Kaye (Darrin) Jorschumb; granddaughter, Carmen Fideler; brothers, Thomas (Cheryl) Tucker, Donald Tucker, Virgil (Nita) Tucker; sister, Joyce McCoy; sisters-in-law, Ellen Tucker and Lucielle Tucker; other loving relative and many dear friends. Linda was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Wilbur & Margaret Tucker; brothers, Milton Tucker, Newton Tucker, Charles Tucker, William Tucker and Gilbert Tucker; sister, Eunice Sanders.
