Linda Smith

Linda Smith, 76, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, December 17, 2021, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Linda Kaye was born on December 10, 1945, in Coon Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Virgil R. and Velma Blanche (Fulton) Thompson. She grew up in Coon Rapids and graduated in the Class of 1963.

On February 14, 1965, she was united in marriage to Eugene Kenneth Smith at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, making her own wedding and bridesmaid dresses. The couple was blessed with two sons, Brian and Brent. They made their home east of Hamlin on Highway 44 before moving to a farm between Elk Horn and Exira in 1973. In March of 1986, the family moved to their home in Atlantic. Brian and Brent remember that their parents were always a good team; from going grocery shopping together, alternating who did the dishes depending on who cooked and their weekly Thursday cleaning day, they were always in it together. Eugene called Linda his Sunshine. The boys also recall she was always there for them but did draw the line on a few things she didn’t care for including sporting events, parades, or any activity that involved being in the cold—she hated being cold! In later years, Linda and Eugene enjoyed vacationing and camping. A few of their favorite camping spots were Waukee, Swan Lake and at Mahoney State Park. While at Waukee they would venture into Des Moines to shop and while at Mahoney they looked forward to the melodrama plays, inviting their church group to join them.

As the boys got older, she decided it was time for a career and enrolled in classes at Hair by Stewarts Beauty School in Council Bluffs in 1978, graduating in 1980. Following graduation, she was a stylist for a short time at the Powder Puff Beauty Salon in Atlantic while working on opening a Hair by Stewarts location in Atlantic. Linda also worked at Headquarters before opening Hairworks by Linda in her home in January of 1988. She served several clients in her home salon for over 30 years, many saying they appreciated how she took her time, the quality of her work, the conversation they shared and her overall kindness. Linda always felt it was a must to provide her services at an affordable rate, while still maintaining a high level of service; hairdressing was an art to her.

Linda was a strong woman and straight forward with her feelings. She wasn’t one to sit idle, from tending her rose garden, (which she took great pride in!), to crocheting, to making sure that things were in order in the kitchen in case company stopped by. Her grandchildren recall her always having chocolate chip cookies, relish trays and side salads ready at any given time. In recent years, she took up writing focused on religion, her faith being very important to her. Linda wrote several books including Bible study books and titled books including: The Exodus: Leaving Egypt Behind and Saul: Israel’s First King. She was able to share some of her writings with the Beacon Girls Bible study group, which she led every other week at the Sweet Joy Shoppe.

She looked forward to spending time with family, especially at Christmas. Christmas was always made memorable when she was growing up and this was a tradition she continued with her own family. This time together was made special by reading Christmas stories and singing carols, the Twelve Days of Christmas always being the finale. Linda made her own caroling books and as the grandchildren grew, she incorporated all of their favorites.

Linda is survived by her sons, Brian (Jean Young) Smith of Oakland, IA and Brent (Melinda) Smith of Big Lake, MN; grandchildren, Samantha Smith of Carson, IA, Brandon (Mikala) Smith of Atlantic, IA, Matthew Smith of Carson, IA, and Taylor Smith of Winona, MN; great-grandchildren, Justin, Nevaeh, Jorga and Liam Smith, all of Atlantic, IA; sister, LeAnn Lemberger Ottumwa, IA; brother, Leon (Judy) Thompson of Audubon, IA; and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Velma Thompson and husband, Eugene.

Open visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 22nd at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. No visitation with the family present is planned.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 23rd at Roland Funeral Home. Burial will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon following a luncheon at the funeral home. The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the United Church of Christ and Hillside Hope in Atlantic.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Linda’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.