Linda Mathers

Linda Louise (Middleton) Mathers went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 9, 2012. Linda was born July 19, 1958, to Donald Leroy and Barbara Lucile (Lonsdale) Middleton. She was the youngest of four daughters, Patricia, Marilyn, and Sandra. They had great times growing up together playing badminton, croquet, kickball, and softball in the back yard, going on picnics and enjoying small town life in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Linda graduated from high school in 1976, where she was a cheerleader, played the clarinet in the orchestra, and was a baton twirler in the marching band.

In 1976 Linda moved to Ankeny, Iowa, to live with her sister Sandy. During 1976, she successfully beat Hodgkin’s disease while working at Banker’s Life Insurance Company, giving her the opportunity to have a very blessed life and family. Linda went on to attend DMACC in Ankeny where she graduated cum laude in the summer of 1978 with an associate’s degree in Business Administration. After class one day, Linda met Mike Mathers and on July 30, 1978, they were married at the Methodist Church in Ankeny. They enjoyed 33 years of marriage and family life.

Family was the most important thing to Linda. Mike and Linda were blessed by the birth of their two sons, Joel Michael born in 1985 and Ian Daniel born in 1987. The boys’ younger years filled the family time with school field trips, baseball, hockey, swimming, soccer, football, tae kwon do, and many other outdoor activities, including summer grill outs in their back yard. Vacations were often spent in Colorado where they roamed the mountains or in Minnesota where they enjoyed fishing. Home life was always included at least one Labrador or golden retriever to add to the family mix. Linda’s family made church a part of their life and was awarded a family honor for 5 years of perfect attendance at Sunday School at Staves Methodist Church.

Linda also had a 33-year career with the federal government starting in 1979. Her focus was always centered on budget and finance, which she loved. Through the years, Linda was on many task forces that computerized the billings and collection for the Food Safety Inspection Service, and had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the country while on the task forces. Linda also worked for the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, as a Budget Officer. Most recently she was the Administrative Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa. During her time with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she had the opportunity to meet and talk with Roberto Gonzales and Eric Holder, U.S. Attorneys General.

Linda’s love for God and Jesus started in pre-school Sunday School at the Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. She had fond memories of attending those early Sunday school classes. Her favorite memory was being an angel in the third-grade church Christmas program. Her mother made sure all four girls were in Sunday school and church every week. This love of God and Jesus carried through to every aspect of Linda’s life. During a fire at an apartment complex near their house, the family had an open house for the victims and provided diapers, formula, donuts and coffee. Linda’s great sense of humor and compassion drew family, friends, and co-workers to share their lives with her.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Barbara Middleton, her brother-in-law Kent Van Dalsem, and former brother-in-law David Haugen. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Mike; their sons, Joel and Ian; and her sisters, Sandra Haugen (David Schoenrock), Marilyn (Kent) Van Dalsem, and Patricia (Dennis) Leitch. She will be remembered and loved by her family and friends who have shared her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 12, at The Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona. A private family visitation will be held from 3:00 – 4:00 pm the same day. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 13, at the church at 10:00 am, with burial at Altoona Cemetery immediately following the service. A luncheon will then be served at the church following the burial.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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