Linda L. McPhail, 79, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, December 19, 2025, at Brookestone Acres of Columbus.

A memorial service will be held on January 10th at 11:00 AM at the Federated Church in Columbus.  The family will begin greeting friends at 10:00 AM on January 10, prior to the service.  Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska, at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Federated Church or Center for Survivors.

Linda L. McPhail was born on February 13, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Dr. Donald and Lillian (Hasselbring) Jackson. She graduated from Westside High School in 1964 and received her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1968 where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.   On July 18, 1968, Linda was united in marriage to John McPhail in Omaha. Linda taught school in Omaha, before moving to Monterey, California, where John, who had enlisted in the United States Army, attended language school in Monterey, learning Japanese.    Upon his completion of language school, the family moved to Japan while he served his remaining time in the Army.

After Johns honorable discharge from the United States Army, the family moved back to Nebraska where John finished his education and became a lawyer, and was hired by Nebraska Public Power in Columbus, as their corporate-in-house attorney.  Linda again went back to teaching in the Columbus Public School system and did substitute teaching for a few years.

Linda was an active member of Federated Church and involved in the community.   She was a member of PEO – Chapter HA, Columbus Women's Club, TeamMates mentoring program, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and several book clubs and bridge clubs in Columbus. She was a certified Master Gardner and longtime member of Sprigs and Sprouts Garden Club.  She had served as a board member of the Columbus YMCA, Columbus Community Hospital, and the Columbus Public Library.  Linda was a member of the Columbus Woman's Club, Columbus Tennis Association and Women's Golf Association at the Elk Country Club.  She was honored as Queen Isabella at Columbus Days in 1992.  Linda and John had traveled worldwide and had been to every continent except Antarctica.

Although she had many interests and was involved in many civic activities, her family always came first.  In her own words – "Your family should mean the most.  You have to have a balance with your family, church, and community."

Linda is survived by:
Husband: John McPhail of Columbus, NE
Son: John (Mary) McPhail of Lincoln, NE
Daughter: Amy (Tim) Carpenter of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Hunter, Logan & Brayden McPhail; Katie & Jackson Carpenter
Sister: Rebecca (Jackson) Gammel of Glenwood, IA
Many cousins, nieces & nephews

Linda was preceded in death by:
Parents: Donald & Lillian Jackson