member of chorus a member of the International Thespian Society and graduated in 1962. She attended St. Lukes Nursing School in Davenport, Iowa where she earned her designation of Registered Nurse. Linda met the of love her life, E. Karl Reichert, on a Muscatine High School pep bus during her sophomore year. Karl and Linda were married on February 28, 1965, at the Pleasant Prairie Church on an unusually warm, sunny Iowa winter day. Linda gave birth to her daughter, Melissa Sue, on August 4, 1967, and her son, Nathan Karl, on July 3, 1970. Karl and Linda were married for 53 years. Linda's professional service as a Registered Nurse included work at St. Luke's Hospital, Muscatine General Hospital, Muscatine Clinic, as a private duty nurse, with Dr. Weis' and Dr. Olsen's private practices. While serving as an R.N., Linda also oversaw the interior design of hundreds of homes built around Muscatine by her husband, Karl, and father-in-law, Elmer Reichert's business Elkar Contractors. Creative small business leadership and entrepreneurship was the hallmark of Linda's later work. Throughout Linda's life, she was an avid seamstress. She created Dollie Duds, Etc. during the late 80's. Originally, she made Cabbage Patch doll clothes but her business evolved into appliqued, personalized sweatshirts. Dollie Duds Etc. evolved into the Upstairs Artist's Colony and Avenue Emporium. Together with her artisan partners, The Avenue Emporium was a staple of downtown Muscatine for many years. Linda's crowning achievement was the founding of Strawberry Farm Bed and Breakfast. Together with her husband, Karl in 1998, the two opened their doors to their home as a bed and breakfast. Linda's welcoming nature and vast community knowledge, combined with an amazing breakfast in a charming setting among the oak trees on Tipton Road, helped propel Strawberry Farm Bed and Breakfast into an iconic Muscatine destination. Both she and Karl take great pride and joy from their business. Public service was always a part of Linda's life. There was hardly a committee or community effort she was not involved with. As a Jayceette, she helped found Happy Time pre-school. When her children were in school, her leadership in Muscatine School activities helped raise money and organize activities from the Cub Scouts to the Muskie Booster club to the Band Boosters. Linda served on countless community committees, Muscatine Visitors and Convention Bureau and civic organizations. She was a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Wesley United Methodist Church. As an active member of the Muscatine County Democrats, Linda supported countless candidates for public office, including her husband, Karl, to the Muscatine City Council and her son, Nathan, to the Iowa Legislature. Additionally, Linda hosted, helped and supported Presidents, Governors, Senators, Congressmen, and Ambassadors seeking positive change for her community and those around her. Throughout her political life, Linda focused on what was good and right for the community always working to make Muscatine a better place to call home. Friends and family knew Linda as a welcoming, engaging, open and strong woman. She positively touched the lives of many throughout her community, sometimes with a strong word, but most always with a smile. Linda's enjoyment of life was contagious. There was hardly a softball, baseball or basketball game, band concert or theater performance that she did not attend with her children or grandchildren. Hawkeye Football games were best watched at Kinnick Stadium and occasionally in Pasadena or Atlanta. Computer time, Facebook and keeping in touch with the world around her were always part of her daily routine. Crafts, creativity, design and cultural expressions were her passion. Helping people was her gift. Linda lived an impactful life. She succumbed to Multiple Myeloma the 24th of April 2018 with her husband, Karl, her daughter, Melissa, and their beloved Maggie dog at her side. Linda is proceeded in death by her mother, Elna Eis of Pleasant Prairie, her beloved Aunt Reba and Uncle Joe Ratel of Muscatine, Aunt Coryne and Uncle Harold of LeClaire, her Great Grandma Ella Duge of Muscatine and her in-laws Mable and Elmer Reichert of Muscatine. Linda is survived by her husband, Karl Reichert, daughter, Melissa and husband, Ryan Brookhart, of Mystic, Connecticut; son, Nathan and wife Rebecca Reichert, of North Stonington, Connecticut; six grand-children, Simon, Olivia, Spencer, Elaina, Ella and Emmett; and countless friends.
Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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