MADISON, Wis. / PHOENIX, Ariz. / CHULA VISTA, Calif. - Linda Lou Parkhurst, age 81, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Nazareth Health & Rehab in Stoughton, Wis. She was the daughter of Earl and Doris (Hubert) Babcock, and was born on Dec. 23, 1939, in Beloit, Wis. 

Linda graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1958.  She met and married Terry Turrell in February of 1959 in Beloit, Wis. They moved to Madison and together they were blessed with four children.

While raising the children, Linda enjoyed helping at church functions and volunteering to deliver Mobile Meals. She was a great home cook and enjoyed crafting, crocheting and sewing; often making matching outfits for the girls and their dolls.

Linda began her employment in Madison as a dishwasher at the Wonder Bar and over the years advanced to head cook. She also worked as a cook at Chi Chis Restaurant and took pride in helping to design and operate Pedro’s Restaurant from the ground up.  

Linda met Russell Parkhurst and moved to Phoenix in 1982, they later married and had many happy years together. While in Phoenix she enjoyed volunteering much of her time between Arrowhead Hospital, where she received the Volunteer of the Year Award and at Joy Church. 

After Russ’s death she moved to Chula Vista, Calif., to be near her sister, Judy. While living there she was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Carl Rodahl, and they were able to share many new memories together. In 2012, after Carl’s death she move back to Madison to be closer to her family. 

Linda is survived by her son, Terry (Jenny) Turrell Jr.; three daughters, Belinda (David) Drska, Stephanie (Mark) Riederer and Kim (John) VanNostrand; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Amanda) Hanson, Rebecca (Jason) Sauer, Megan (Matthew) Gilbert, Robert (Samira) Valdez IV, John (Chelsea) VanNostrand Jr., Lillian VanNostrand and Joseph Riederer; 11 great-grandchildren, Bradley Sauer, Gavin Olson, Benjamin Yovicson, Ally Yovicson, Joanna Sauer, Ayden Johnson, Madison Hanson, Brooklyn Hanson, Madelyne VanNostrand, John VanNostrand III and Sienna Valdez; two brothers, Jim Babcock, Charles " Fritz " (Miriam) Babcock; sister, Eileen Hudson; four sisters-in-law,  Lieta Babcock, Cindy Babcock, Andrea Babock and Anita Babcock; former husband, Terry Turrell Sr.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Dale Babcock, Mike Babcock and David Babcock; sister, Judy Oliver; sister-in-law, Joan Drinkwater; and brothers-in-law, Keith Hudson, and Clarence “Drink” Drinkwater.

A celebration of life will be held at TULLY’S II, 6401 Monona Drive, Monona, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

Linda’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Gerald Pankratz and staff for continued care and support. Also, thanks to the many people who went above and beyond for Linda’s care from Agrace HospiceCare, Nazareth Health and Chamomile Assisted Living. Donations may be made to the family or in Linda’s name to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

As we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived.
And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget ….
Thanks for the memories
Author unknown

Gunderson East 

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420 

Linda L. Parkhurst

December 23, 1939 - December 16, 2021

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