Linda Wicker

Linda is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Gary Wicker, their children Scot (Denise) Wicker of Urbandale, IA, Jeff Wicker of Glidden, IA and Melissa (Mike) Kellar of Waukee, IA. Grandchildren Charlie, Jack and Sarah Wicker and Ethan and Colin Kellar. Also surviving are many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Linda was preceded in death by her mother Thora Lawson and father Charles “Charlie” Simpson and Aunts JoAnn, Darlene, Lin and Uncles Wayne, Norman and Clifford.

Linda retired from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in 2008. Linda previously worked at Christ the King School as the lunchroom manager. Linda also cooked for the priest’s residence at Dowling High School. She managed House of Large Sizes (a women’s clothing store with a horrible name that she often commented about). She worked as a cash balancing specialist for United Federal Savings Bank. She was the office manager for St. Vincent de Paul. In between all of that, she catered dinner parties and events for her business “Tasteful Diversions”, including John Glenn and Walter Mondale’s presidential campaigns at the Botanical Center and North High School.

This is a love story for the record books! Linda met Gary when they were sophomores at Lincoln High School. Through their love and friendship in high school, they had a core group of friends who are still close to this day. After high school, they were married on February 8, 1963. Shortly after their daughter, Melissa, was born in 1969, they moved from the south side of Des Moines to Urbandale. It was there that they met a group of people who happened to be members of St. Pius X parish and they invited their family to come to church. On Easter Sunday, 1971, their family joined the Catholic Church. Linda and Gary were laying the foundation of faith for their family. They were involved with Cursillo, CCD, couples group, youth group, the Wherehouse, TEC (Teens Encounter Christ), CYC (Catholic Youth Camp), Christ Renews His Parish and REC (Residents Encounter Christ). Linda was also a den mother for scouts. They were on the national TEC convention board and were on the steering committee that assisted in the purchase of the St. Thomas More Center in Panora, IA.

Cooking was Linda’s ministry. She showed her love for you through cooking. She loved to make your favorite meal on your birthday. Her wacky cake is undeniably a family favorite (especially with her grandchildren) and was often requested as a birthday cake. Linda and her dear friends were cooks at CYC for MANY summers. Her menus were famous! Anyone who was a camper or a counselor during those weeks raved about rigatoni night and the homemade cinnamon rolls.

Linda always SHOWED you how much she loved you – not just through cooking, but by giving the best hugs, searching to find the perfect gift, being a great listener, helping you find your voice, giving great advice and being a mom to many who needed her. Linda made you feel special and cherished. She loved to celebrate the holidays with family. She loved to decorate – especially at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holidays for the Wicker’s were for family and hold some of the best memories. When visiting Linda during those holidays, you would feel like you might be visiting a haunted house or Santa’s village.

Linda loved fireworks and being in the mountains. She loved a good road trip and good music. She loved dancing with her husband. She hated the heat and humidity (is it hot enough for ya???) and you knew you were about to push it too far when she gave you “the look”. She loved passionate discussions that challenged you to think. Most of all, she loved her husband, children and grandchildren fiercely and deeply. To the moon and back!

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 6th at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 8:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, October 7th at St. Theresa’s at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon to follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, Linda requested donations be made to YESS (Youth Emergency Services and Shelter) at yessiowa.org or to Catholic Youth Camp at stmcenter.com.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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