From the day Linda (Combs) Mildren was born on August 16, 1952, her fierce heart was evident. She was born to Merle and Tenita Combs, small and sickly, and her grandmother was sure she would not survive. Despite this challenging start, Linda grew into a fierce, determined young woman and spent most of her life in Nickerson, KS.

Linda grew up playing softball, riding horses, and caring for a variety of animals, from her pet pig, Petunia, to calves she bottle-fed until they were strong enough to thrive on their own. Linda was the middle child of three: Steve Combs and Tina (Combs) Seymour were her siblings, and she loved them fiercely and remained close to them throughout their lives. Linda has now joined them both on the other side.

Anyone who knew her had heard her proudly say that Linda knew from a young age she would become a nurse. When teachers told her she didn’t have the aptitude for nursing, her fierce determination kicked in. In her teens, Linda began working as a candy striper, then as a nurse’s aide before becoming a registered nurse. Her fierce heart showed itself in the most tender ways, as she cried with patients, worried about them during her time off, and learned how to ease discomfort and heal others through listening, empathy, and love.

On September 1, 1973, Linda married Robert Mildren and found out on their honeymoon that she had passed her nursing boards. He still laughs about how she worried he wouldn’t want to be married to her if she failed. In the 52.97 years they were married, he saw her fail very few times. Linda approached nursing with a fierce passion for her patients. Countless strangers would approach the family to thank her for the care she provided to them or their family members. She never forgot a name or the details people shared with her about their lives.

As a mother to Jeff Mildren and Becky (Mildren) Kimminau, Linda certainly showed her fierce heart in the way she loved and protected not only them, but any child who was anywhere near her. Being her child has been the greatest blessing, spending your whole life knowing she would move heaven and earth to keep you safe and secure.

Linda was loyal and determined even when faced with building a home from the ground up with her husband, who had very little building knowledge. Despite naysayers who bet they would never do it, seven years later they moved into the beautiful home they had built. For nearly 40 years, they raised kids and hosted countless friends and family members in their home.

Over the past several years, Linda fiercely battled multiple strokes, surgeries, and setbacks. Each time, she somehow found the strength inside her fierce heart to heal. She used the love of her family, including her granddaughter, Cecily Mildren, to dust herself off and get back on the horse.

On August 20, 2026, that fierce heart finally wore out, but Linda’s legacy lives on in the inspiration her courage, determination, and love leave behind. She taught those around her that fierceness is not always loud. The most powerful kind of fierceness comes from having the courage to take off your armor and share yourself with another.

Linda is survived by her loving husband, Robert, of Wichita; children, Jeff Mildren and wife Karen Simms of Lincoln, NE, Becky Kimminau and husband Rick Kimminau of Wichita, KS; granddaughter, Cecily Mildren; sister-in-law, Sandra Combs; brother-in-law, Robert Seymour; and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Tina Seymour; and brother, Steve Combs.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Elliott Chapel. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking here beginning at 10:15 the day of the service.

Friends may sign her memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association to support the LPN Scholarship Program. The donation can be made online at hutcc.edu/giving or in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.