May 21, 1947 – February 28, 2026
Linda Ann (Doescher) Mau passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of February 28, 2026 after a long battle with COPD. She was born on May 21, 1947 in Mason City, Iowa to Harold Edwin Doescher and Thelma Lucille (Renner) Doescher. She was the oldest in her family followed by her brothers: Dennis, David and Doug Doescher.
Linda attended school at Rudd – Rockford – Marble Rock and graduated high school in 1965. She played the flute and was active in marching band. One of her favorite memories was marching in the Mason City Band Festival parade in 1962 when the stars from the Music Man movie were the special guests. When she was a teen, she stayed with her grandparents in Clear Lake and worked at Halford’s Cafe in Clear Lake. She loved cutting the pies and serving customers.
After high school, she took secretarial classes at Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota for a few months in 1965. Her first job after college was with Honeywell in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She quickly realized the big city was not for her and returned to the north Iowa area. She went on to work at Oliver in Charles City and Helzberg Jewelry in Mason City, Iowa.
Linda met her husband, Randy Mau, through a friend while they were “scooping the loop” in Mason City. They were married on July 28, 1967 in Rudd, Iowa and moved to Kanawha, Iowa where they farmed. They were joined by their three daughters: Barbara (1967), Melissa (1969) and Amy (1973). When Barb and Melissa were young, Linda worked at Britt Tec in Britt, Iowa as the office manager. Once Amy came along, Linda stayed home to raise her children and help on the farm. Linda also enjoyed gardening, canning, baking along with playing card and board games. Randy and Linda moved to Osage, Iowa in 1975 to farm until 1978. They relocated to an acreage south of Mason City in 1978 and remained there ever since. Randy started driving truck over the road at that time, so Linda stayed home to care for the children and the home. Eventually, Randy and Linda went on to start R & L trucking. Linda joined Randy in the truck at times to get out to see the country.
Linda loved being a sister and mom, but she really enjoyed being a grandmother to her five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She often joked that she’d been caring for kids most of her life. She never missed an activity for her kids and grandkids until her health prevented her from leaving her home. Over the years, she also helped in her community by volunteering with Special Olympics in the 1980s, along with taking on many roles at her church, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mason City.
Linda loved to talk to people and joke around. She was also quick to offer a listening ear and encouraging words.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, parent-in-laws – Lowell and Merlin Mau, brother-in-law – Danny Mau, and son-in-law – Jay Funk.
She is survived by her loving husband, Randy Mau and children: Barb Funk (Mike Blakewell) in Klemme, Iowa; Melissa (James) Gray in Indianola, Iowa; Amy (Troy) Monahan in Mason City, Iowa. Grandchildren: Jordon (Kayla) Monahan in Mason City; Troy (Marissa) Monahan in Waukee, Iowa; Riley Monahan in Mason City; LeAnna Funk in Mason City; and Luke Gray in Indianola, Iowa. Great grandchildren: Talia and Meira Monahan in Mason City, Iowa. Brothers: Dennis Doescher in Osage, Iowa; David (Amanda) Doescher in Mason City; Doug (Shelly) in Mankato, Minnesota; and sister-in-laws: Cheryl (Bill) Panther in Iowa City, Iowa and Connie (Gary) Schleusner in Garner, Iowa. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials will be given to Charlie Brown – West Town, Mason City Riverhawk Wrestling, NIACC Wrestling and St. John’s Episcopal Church all in Mason City and Victory Christian Academy in Indianola, Iowa.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 5-7 pm at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 am, Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 120 1st St. NE, Mason City, with Rev. Barbara McCaulley officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.
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