"We are sad about Linda's health struggle. We have common ground as Rotarians and prior clothing business days. As we began our Northcrest Journey in 2019, we grew to respect her drive, energy and help. Linda stated in our first meeting "She had the data showing NC residents live 8 years longer than those in the same zip code". ... May Peace find you as you remember and celebrate her Life lived. "
In loving memory of
Linda Kay Freers Doyle
June 15, 1947 - October 29, 2025
Linda's life video link https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/ZJKYRCCQQH6YB49L
Linda K. Freers Doyle of Ames, Iowa died at her home at Northcrest Retirement Community. A gathering of friends and family will be on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1-3:00 p.m. at Northcrest Community, 2300 Northcrest, Drive Ames, Iowa in the Grand room. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Linda Kay Freers Doyle was born on Fathers' Day, June 15,1947 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Richard Scott Freers and Eileen Louise Nelson. They moved to Burlington, Iowa, where Linda grew up. Linda passed away on Wednesday October 29th at home from ALS.
Linda and John Doyle married on July 26, 1969. They have 2 children, John Jenison (JJ) Doyle (Kristy) and Kathleen Rose Youngberg (Kyle). Seven grandchildren, Dakota Doyle (Emma), Drew Doyle, Mackenzie Doyle, Rachael Doyle, Logan Youngberg, Asher Youngberg, Sienna Rose Youngberg and five great-grandchildren as well.
Linda and John moved to Ames in 1971 with JJ and purchased Bobby Rogers in 1973, a women's apparel store in Campustown, downtown and the new North Grand Mall. They then added three more stores.
Then the Farm Crisis hit and affected the small business as well as farms. Linda started to bake cheesecakes in her galley kitchen. She named this new venture Critics Choice Cheesecakes. She sold these delicious cheesecakes to fine dining establishments all around Iowa. With that success they expanded to a facility in Story City and shipped all over the country.
Linda then found her calling at Northcrest. She started as an accountant but was quickly promoted to Administrator. She spent time earning her Administrators licenses and education to better serve her residents and become the magnificent CEO and Administrator that she was. Linda loved her residents and the home she was building for them there to have the best life care possible. During her 25 years she added on townhomes, the Heartwood house (a memory care unit), a new assisted living center, new health care center, gorgeous new apartments, and a new administrative building with a Grand Room for residents to gather. Her legacy at Northcrest will be enjoyed for generations.
Linda was involved in many groups and organizations as well, including PEO, Rotary, Heartland of Story County (Board Member), Altrusa, and Leadership Iowa.
Linda was proceeded in death by her mother and father Richard and Eileen Freers. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years John Doyle, son John J. Doyle (Kristy) and Katie Youngberg (Kyle) along with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Stephen Freers (Beth) and his daughters LaRae (Ben) and Emily (Brady).
Linda was an amazing wife, mom and grandmother. Doting on all those she loved!!! We are going to miss her daily, but especially at the holidays, her most favorite time of all! She was one in a million.
In lieu of flowers please donate in Linda's honor to the Northcrest Foundation, Fund for the Future.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
She was my mentor, cheerleader, friend, role model, shopping partner... but most importantly my mom.
She was absolutely one of the hardest working people I knew... While my dad is a jack of all trades, my mom was a woman of many talents. Able to accomplish so much and continually learn and pursue new things so she could be the best for those around her and the job at task.
From accounting, retail fashionista, baker extraordinaire, the hostess with the mostest and the best damn CEO there was. She mastered it all.
She loved fashion and fun shoes! Always dressed to the 9's and put together. She taught me it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. We were really great at shopping till we dropped. Shop first, eat later was our motto. And man, she could sell clothing just as well as she could buy it - running Bobby Rogers women's clothing store, a staple in Ames back in the day.
She hosted family and friends for holidays and gatherings. And always made it look easy. Making all occasions feel special and important, creating traditions to look forward to year after year. Holidays were truly magical. Nothing was forgotten, all the tiny details of beautifully wrapped gifts, sparkling trees and sweet treats a plenty. She even opened our home up for Christmas tours to all of the Northcrest residents. Baking, decorating and cooking for days in advance. Every nook and cranny was curated with just the right decorations. I simply don't know how she did it all. And man did the residents love counting all of her Santa's!
Not only did she make our house always feel welcoming she did the same at Northcrest. As the CEO there she strived to make Northcrest the best place for life care. The Heartwood house is one of the best memory care units around. And all of the new additions made in the last 10 years before she retired were designs she worked tirelessly on to make perfect for residents.
But more importantly she connected with the residents. She cared about each them, loved them and made time for them. It was so evident in all the smiles and laughter I always saw in the halls and at the front reception area. And when she retired,(twice!) she was doted on each time. She leaves a legacy behind that will be enjoyed for quite some time.
While doing all these great things she was also, most importantly, an amazing mom and then grandma. She was on soccer sidelines cheering me on, helping with school projects, and making fun memories with family trips. We baked together and enjoyed sharing recipes as I started making my own traditions. As I became a mom, I quickly realized how hard it is to do it all. I still am amazed when I look back and never realized how much she was doing behind the scenes. (Like staying up until 2am baking cheesecakes as a side venture turned new business) She was superwoman. And her super power was how she made us all feel important and special.
I only hope I can be what she was to me to my kids and those around me.
As I was writing this, and so many times before, I've thought to myself, gosh, mom was good at funerals, ha. Strange I know! But she always knows exactly what to say and how to care for others. I guess that's just how she's always been though in every aspect of life. I'm so proud to be her daughter! How blessed I've been to call her mom! Not a day will go by that I won't miss this smart, beautiful person immensely. There is just so much to miss. ALS is a cruel disease and I know she is finally free from its impact.
Love you forever Mom.
Tributes
"Deepest Condolences to all of you. Please know I am thinking and praying for you . Rest In Peace Linda. "
"Linda was a class act! She handled everything with such grace. I so enjoyed my visits with her. We had caught up with each other at an open house a while back. Linda was such a joy to talk to she will dearly be missed. "
"I remember Linda at Bobby Rogers. Then I would see her at various places over the many decades, especially at the senior expo where she was advertising for Northcrest there. I enjoyed reading her lengthy obituary of all the accomplishments she made during your life and her daughter's delightful memories. I am so sorry to read-that she got ALS and not able to enjoy her retirement that she got ALS and not able to enjoy her retirement years. years. I'm so glad I clicked on her photo or I would not have been able to read all the delightful comments about our life time. My heartfelt sympathies teach one of you on the loss of your wife, mom, grandma and great grandma. She left giant footprints on earth as a role model to you all and two other family and friends. Betty Gordon, Ames "
"Linda was a lady of quality and love. Her family always came first above all. She cared for others and always was there to lend a hand. God has another angel in his choir and another bright star in heaven to shine. God Bless her family with comfort and love. "
"Katie & John, My love and sympathy to you and others in your family. Katie, your words about your mom Linda are so spot on. I Loved reading them. She was a doer- in a good way. She really did put one foot in front of the other - with every new challenge she pursued. I am remembering sharing hotel rooms with you guys. Once when you had torn your ACL (ice machine) and couldn?t even play. But still we had fun - what great days - Ames Flames! You & Beth grew up & your mom kept doing growing & helping others. My folks loved her as residents of Northcrest. She did an amazing job! She has left her mark! Be proud - I?m so glad I knew her. ALS - I am so sad she didn?t get to enjoy her retirement years more. My love and sympathy to you all. Barb Peterson "
"John, Kristy and Family,
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with all of you during this difficult time and. R I P LINDA"
"I would love to just say ?ditto? to everything Carrie and Amy said! Linda was an amazing person and yes she was the best boss/CEO/Administrator a person could ask for. She made a positive difference! I remember, She started the big holiday meals in the main dining room for residents when one year due to the weather, many families were not going to make it. I remember she and John doing all the cooking that year for that dinner! Then it stuck and we continued to offer the holiday dinners in the main dining room because people enjoyed it so much and she listened to them. She was the master mind behind so many of the things that bring people together! She will be missed by SO many. Gone but never forgotten! My deepest sympathy to John and family. "
"Linda was an amazing person. Not only was she our former CEO(Boss) she was an Icon. She was the CEO that made it a point to know everyone's name including her employees. Under her leadership Northcrest was unique and stood out from the rest. She made you feel valued and appreciated. Her door was always open for you. Her bright smile and personality lit up a room whenever she walked in it. She read the Christmas story every year to health care residents and she was always present. It was a blessing for us to be not just her employees and townhome housekeepers but her friend. She treated us like family. She had a great sense of humor and she had a big heart and to us she will always be the best boss ever hands down. God puts people in your life to help you when you need someone to guide you or lend a helping hand and she would go out of her way to do just that. Sending all our love to John and the family. Always remembered never forgotten in our hearts."