"linda was the greatest lady I ever knew, she was smart , caring, loved her job, but most of all she always smiled and laughed, even after her first stroke,. we went to lunch with others and I admired her strength, . god bless you linda, sure will miss you"
In loving memory of
Linda Lou Husband
March 5, 1937 - April 8, 2013
LINDA MONSON HUSBAND
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Linda Lou (Monson) Husband, 76, of Muscatine, died on Monday, April 8, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.
Service of Closure will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Dr. Bruce Ursin will officiate.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Linda was born on March 5, 1937, in Hanceville, Alabama, the daughter of Hildreth Clark and Oela Keeble Stansell. Linda was married in June of 2005 to Robert Husband after he proposed to her 2000 feet about land in a hot air balloon. Linda and Robert resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for five years. She developed a great love for the mountains and hot air balloons. They've had many adventures during their marriage including sky swinging over the Royal Gorge. In 2010 they returned to Muscatine to be closer to their family.
She was the activity director for the County Care Facility from 1984-2001. She also babysat for many years. Linda's home was always open to children, some for a few hours at a time, others for years at a time. She wore out rocking chairs, as there was never a baby she didn't love to swaddle and rock. She would never let a child go hungry or cold.
Linda was a talented seamstress and doll maker. Linda had a great love for dolls. Some she made or repaired and some she collected. She enjoyed making gifts for all of the children in her life. Most recently she made all of her children and all of her grandchildren each their own blanket. Other than children, she was always helping animals. She spent countless nights doing whatever was needed to save the lives of birds, dogs, goats, calves, and pigs.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Robert Husband of Muscatine; her children, Doug Chamberlin and significant other, Tracey Ross, (Tommy and Makayla Ross) of Muscatine, Lori Garmon and husband, Dan, of Lafayette, Indiana, Jeff Chamberlin and wife, Leah, of Granger, Teri McManus and husband, Barry, of Muscatine, Tami Pardie of Muscatine, Sheri Swailes and significant other, Roger Roeder, of Swisher, and Kari Brown of Muscatine; and a step-son, Kevin Newcomer. She was also a nanny to Mindi Alexandra, and many others. She is also survived by her 19 grandchildren, Wendy Marolf, Scott Chamberlin, Robby Chamberlin, Troy Garmon, Jami Alexander, David Chamberlin, Randall Chamberlin, Bailey Chamberlin, Marcy Chamberlin, Dallas McManus, Blake McManus, Bethany Siefers, Austin Siefers, Jacob Siefers, Alex Swailes, Ryan Swailes, Kami Monson, Tyler Stoltz, and Drake Brown; 12 great-grandchildren; one great great-granddaughter; and two sisters, Bettye Carlisle of Muscatine, and Sue McLaughin of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Linda is also survived by her dearest friend, Belva Bishop Hartsock and family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one sister; and one brother.
Tributes
"Linda was my un-paid mentor when I was hired at the Muscatine Residential Facility. She was an incredibly strong woman and she was loved by the staff and residents alike. I am sorry that I didn't have the chance to see her recently. Thank you, Linda, for touching my life."
"Linda was a very special person who had a way of making everyone feel valued. She was kind, caring and very funny. She would listen and give advice honestly. She touched so many lives and will be missed by many! "
"I am so very sorry for your loss. When I think of Linda I am reminded of her generous loving care of so many-family, friends, and clients. But most of all I was always grateful for her sense of humor and positive attitude. She will be missed by so many people. "
"Words can not begin to express how sorry I am for all of you at your loss of Linda. Your family was her life and she will be so deeply missed by each and every person she touched through a life that was cut too short. Linda lived life to the fullest and set an example each of us should follow spending quality time with each and every generation of her family. She always had time to lend an ear, a lap, a smile (that was infectious), a joke, advice and her many life lessons. She was one of a kind and I feel blessed to have known her. "
"Dear Dan, Lori & Families, Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mother/Grandmother. I remember her from many years ago and how much fun she was. You all have many wonderful memories to treasure. Thinking of you with love and prayers. Love, Kay"
"I worked at MCRS for over ten years. Linda was loved by all the residents & she gave so much of herself to assure that they had the best quality of life possible. I am so glad I had a chance to see her last week. She will be missed by all of us."
"Linda and I were co-workers at MCRS. All the residents loved her. She had a way with them and they enjoyed her company. She always had a warm smile and a kind heart. Truly the best of the best. She will be missed. "
"linda was like no one I had ever known, she was generous, warm, and always came through when she was needed. Above all we laughed and laughed. Always said we needed to write a book about our experiences at Muscatine Co Residential Services. She opened my eyes to another world that was sometimes hard but she always put a positive spin on it. We had an in joke whe my grandfather was 100 Linda went to Washington Iowa to care for him at night. I told my family she was a nurse, so we could bump up the wages. She had all of the qualities of a nurse, warm loving, and caring/ I will never forget you. "
"Linda was a warm ,caring woman who always had a kind word and smile. You have my sympathy. My memories of her make me smile and I believe she is smiling down on all of you who loved her.Sincerely "
"Kari, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I remember going to your house on Mill St. when we all went to Franklin. She was a very nice woman. Sending prayers to you and your family."
"Sorry for your loss of your mother. I knew her through Special Olympics. She was a very nice lady.
And, I know most all of you, Doug through Virginia, Lori was my former babysitter, Jeff was my short-lived boss. Sherri, I took your job, when you left at T.R.A.I.N. ( I am still there, 24 years), and Tammi working with the disabled, I would run into her at the games.
Just remember, to keep your grief light hearted, and as time goes by, the sorrow will fade, and then, you will be blessed with beautiful memories of her. Take care and God Bless."