Linda Ann Weida, a woman with a compassionate spirit and a passion for caring for others, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 31st. She was 74. She fought a long and courageous battle with pulmonary hypertension.
Linda was born in Riceville, Iowa, on February 11, 1949, to Charles and LaVonne (Woldum) Mayer. She met the love of her life, Charles Weida, when she was in 7th grade. They were united in marriage at Immaculate Conception Church in Riceville on November 30, 1968. To this union four children were born: Paul, Heather, Erik, and Stephanie. Her children were her pride and joy, and then she became a grandmother. Then it was her grandchildren that brought her so much happiness. She attended as many of her grandchildren’s events that she could. As her illness progressed and it got harder and harder to attend, if she couldn’t be there, she followed along on Gamechanger or requested MANY text updates throughout. She always wanted phone calls from her grandchildren afterwards! She loved both listening to and telling stories about her family.
Linda received her associate’s degree in nursing from NICC in Calmar. She worked at the Riceville Rest Home, now Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center, as a nurse aide, staff nurse and then worked as the Director of Nursing until her retirement in 2011. Linda was dedicated to the residents, their families and the staff of the facility. Throughout her career she helped the facility earn many zero deficiency state reports and in 2009 the Rest Home received the Governor’s Award for Quality Care, an award Linda was very proud to achieve.
Many days Chuck and Linda would be found in their living room, Chuck in the rocker and Linda on the loveseat, watching Iowa Hawkeye sporting events. Linda also was a life-long Minnesota Viking fan, like many members of the Mayer family.
Linda loved spending time on her deck, watering her many flower baskets, and watching the bird feeders, always waiting for the Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles that would visit. She also enjoyed mowing the lawn and continued to mow even when she had to have her oxygen tank mounted to the back of the mower. She loved going on golf cart rides around the acreage with her grandchildren.
Later into retirement, she grew her faith and relationship with Jesus. She looked forward to her daily Bible time, watching Through the Bible with Les Feldick with Chuck, and weekly Bible study with her siblings. Chuck and Linda were members of the Saratoga Community Church.
Linda is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Chuck, of Riceville. Her children Paul Miller of Monroe, Wisconsin, Heather (Steve) Brokaw of Kalona, Iowa, Erik (Kirby) Weida of Riceville, Iowa and Stephanie (Jason) Norman of North Liberty, Iowa; grandchildren Kayleigh Miller, Jaxson, Ben, Haddie and Gracie Brokaw, Gunner, Max, and Vayda Weida, Sophie, Tate, and Finn Norman; great-grandson Alijah. Sisters Donna (John) Adams, Cheryl (Alvin) Knode, and Margaret (Alan) McKenna and brothers Rick (Janine) Mayer and Mike (Deb) Mayer. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, Susan Lee, her in-laws Kenny and Ruby Weida, her sister-in-law, Karen Praska, and a nephew, Tom Adams.
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