Linda "Coach" Bruns

Linda's life started and ended in a simple manner. She was born in the family's farm house in Ansley, Nebraska on October 18th, 1942 and she died in her Flagstaff home surrounded by family and friends on October 16th, 2008. Linda was fondly referred to as "Coach" throughout her life because of her deep passion for the teaching and coaching profession. Linda was a graduate of Great Falls High School and the University of Montana. Her high school teaching career began in Liberty, New York, followed by a short stint in Spokane, Washington, continued in Turlock, California, and finished in Kotsebuhe, Alaska twenty-six miles above the Arctic Circle. In the late seventies Linda and her former husband, Charlie Bruns, purchased a commercial fishing site on the Cook Inlet. There they entertained and witnessed the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world with family, friends, and sometimes strangers. "Coach" was hired at the University of Alaska in Anchorage as the women's basketball coach in 1979 where she built the program into a Division II national contender. Linda finished her career in Alaska with 175 wins and 142 losses. Under her tutelage, the Seawolves won three Continental Divide championships and "Coach" was twice named the Conference Coach of the Year. In her final season at the University of Alaska, the Seawolves, undaunted as the only Division II team competing against Division I teams in the Northern Lights Invitational, stunned everyone with a dramatic last second victory. This was an historic first! Linda was hired in 1990 at Northern Arizona University where she continued to inspire young women to achieve in the classroom, on the court, and eventually in life. After 29 years of coaching and teaching, "Coach" traded hoops for a restaurant business, Coaches' Club, and eventually a nine year relationship with Loyalton, an assisted living facility in Flagstaff. Linda happily devoted her time, love, and energy, to her friends at Loyalton. "Coach" drove the residents to doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, shopping trips, picnics, movies, and a once a month gambling excursion to Cliff Castle.

"Coach's" hobbies included skiing, golfing, reading, shopping, traveling, kayaking, fishing, boating at Lake Powell, walking and caring for her dogs, cheering at local sporting events, watching Annie run all over the country, and spending time with her family in Montana. Linda is survived by Sharon and Annie Falor of Flagstaff, her sisters, Kay Thares of Great Falls, and Marlene and Jim Becker of Pocatello, her brothers, Ed and Bonnie Wood of Barrago Springs, Jerry and Becky Wood of Farmington, Mike Wood of Helena, and Randy and Patty Wood of Helena. Many, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and a lifetime of close friends! Linda's parents, Phil and Leone Wood, and her brother, Don Wood, preceded her in death.

"Coach" suffered a stroke and then battled an aggressive form of cervical cancer for almost a year. In the end, her legacy will surely include teaching us not only how to live with exuberance but also how to die with dignity. In lieu of flowers the family has requested all donations be made to the Second Chance Center for Animals in Flagstaff. Additionally, a Teaching/Coaching Endowment will be established at Flagstaff High School to financially support the professional advancement of teachers, coaches, and sponsors who wish to increase their knowledge of a specific subject or sport through attendance at summer conferences or classes.

Please join the family in a celebration of Linda's life at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Church. All are welcome!