Linda (DePaul) Howard

Linda C. Howard, 54, passed away Sunday evening, May 9, 2010. Linda was born on June 10, 1955 in Chicago, the second daughter of Charles and LaVerne DePaul. She left behind a large, and very shocked family including her mother, sisters, brother, husband, many nieces and nephews and her children. Linda had three children; her daughters Drisana and Natalie, and her son Ellery. She was also awaiting the birth of her first (unnamed) grandchild in October. She was the anchor of the family, and there wasn't anyone who didn't look up to her.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 17, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, where she married her husband Dennis Howard. The church is located at 3301 Ashworth in West Des Moines.

Linda lived a full life and was a very intelligent and accomplished woman. She held a Master's degree in both Business Administration and Range Management & Land Reclamation from the University of Arizona. She also had a Bachelor’s in Forest management from Northern Arizona University. She trained in the DNR Leadership Academy; and in process improvement, pesticide application, wildfire on-ground, and various environmental courses. Linda worked for the DNR but held various other careers throughout her life too numerous to list.

Linda had many talents and enjoyed a plethora of activities. She knew how to draw, dance, ski, scuba dive, and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed gardening, watching the birds in her yard, marathon running and almost any form of exercise. She was a very healthy and active woman. She also loved music of many kinds and filled the home with song, whether we wanted her to or not.

Linda was also very caring and generous, donating money and lots of her time. She belonged to and volunteered with many organizations including, XI Sigma PI, Forestry Honor Society, Society of American Foresters, Children’s International Sponsor, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, MENSA, Habitat for Humanity and many roles in her church.

She had a very nurturing personality, and loved to care for people. Her siblings, children in the church, friends of her children and many other people have warm memories of her as a motherly figure in their life.

She will be greatly missed and left us entirely too soon.

Online condolences may be made to www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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