Linda Garvey

Linda E. Garvey, 63, passed away at her residence Thursday, March 29, 2007. Funeral services will be at 10am Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona with burial to follow at the Altoona Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6-8pm Monday, April 2nd at the Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home.
Linda was afflicted with spina bifida at birth and spent the major portion of her life in a wheelchair. Disability was not part of her vocabulary and she led a very full and independent life. Linda was the first “poster child” for the Easter Seal Foundation.
Linda grew up in Altoona, attended the local elementary and graduated from the high school. She attended and graduated from Des Moines Area Community College. Her first job was with the State of Iowa. From there she became a clerk at Iowa Methodist Hospital. Linda was married to her dearest friend and love, Dan, in 1972. She and her husband then moved to Clear Lake, Iowa and became counselors in a group home at Handicap Village. Upon their move back to this area, Linda worked as a counselor at the Easter Seal assisted living facility in Des Moines. Dan and Linda lived in Phoenix, Arizona, Johnston, Iowa and lastly resided in Altoona. Linda retired in 1985 but remained a vocal advocate for the handicapped throughout the remainder of her life. These last very difficult years, Dan has remained by her side, as an ever-present, loving and patient care giver.
Linda is survived by her loving husband, Daniel R. Garvey; children, DeAnna (Sam) Nicklos of Rhoads, Iowa and Damon Garvey-Schmidt of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois; brother, Jack (Marlene) Cox of Placida, Florida; sister, Judy (David) Porter of Altoona, Iowa; grandchildren, Brandon Burma, Courtnie, Anjanette and Sean Clemons, and Sadie and Gable Schmidt; and great-grandchild, Natalie Sears. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her brother, James and mother and father, Jim and Gertrude Cox. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross. Donations and memorials may be sent to the Lutheran Church of the Cross music department and to the Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars Foundation.

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