Lindberg Milbrath, Eunice (Linn) Age 94, of Minneapolis and longtime Kindergarten teacher, peacefully passed away July 1, 2019 at Our Lady of Peace Hospice, where she had received hospice care for 10 weeks.
Born in Lincolnville Kansas to Bertha and Erwin Linn, Eunice earned degrees in Music from Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS and later in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota. She married the love of her life, Elwood Lindberg, and moved to the big city of Minneapolis where Elwood was teaching at Minnehaha Academy. They joined Bethlehem Covenant Church where they became life-long members.
Inspiration for Eunice’s Kindergarten teaching career came about after she organized a two-hour Sunday school program for Kindergarten-age children at Bethlehem in 1953 and from raising her own children. Wanting to learn more, she pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education at the U of M and began teaching Kindergarten in 1961.
In 1974, at the age of 50, she went to Brighton, England to study innovative British teaching methods. Upon returning, she incorprated many of these into her teaching style.
She loved teaching Kindergarten and considered herself a true advocate for children. Her deep regard for children and creative, experiential, discovery-based teaching inspired her peers, impacted countless students and was recognized by district administrators as a model for other teachers. She taught Kindergarten for 28 years at Minneapolis schools Adams, Seward, Pratt, Minnehaha and Kee-waydin.
Always an adventurer, Eunice enjoyed annual family camping and canoe trips, extensive world travel and time at her treasured cabin on Lake Superior's North Shore. She had a life-long love of gardening, classical music (especially playing piano), literature, writing and entertaining friends and family.
She lovingly cared for Elwood through his Parkinson's disease until his death. Later she married Bill Milbrath and they moved to Becketwood Cooperative where she was an active community member and participated in many social and educational groups. She lived at Becketwood for 20 years.
Bill and Eunice enjoyed traveling and community at both Bethlehem Covenant and Holy Trinity Lutheran Churches. Their marriage ended in 2011.
Eunice was preceded in death by her beloved husband Elwood Lindberg and her three siblings. Eunice is survived by her children, Karen (Jon) Schoenrock, Greg (Pam) Lindberg and Laurie (Toto) Sugiarto; grandchildren, Carrie, Krista (Erik), Aaron and Katie (Eric); great-grandchildren, Annika, Camilla, Ginger, Lucy, Evelyn and Hans.
Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Covenant Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Memorial service, 11 AM Saturday July 20, visitation one hour prior, lunch following at Bethlehem Covenant Church 3141 43rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 612-721-5768