Linda Kay (Vasos) Madigan was born on the 4th of July, 1947, into the welcoming arms of Bill and Irene Vasos and a home and extended family filled with love. Like the day she was born on Linda was special, though she would never say that. When she was just a small girl, her Dad would tell her he was going to ask everyone to fly their flags for her birthday and amazingly, after all these years, people still do.
Linda received her education at Kuemper High School in Carroll, IA and St. Mary’s University in Xavier, KS. As a newly married young mother Linda worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Carroll, Atlantic and Sioux City. Linda loved to read. She loved to do crossword puzzles and play along with Jeopardy. She loved music, plays, birds, nature and all things good and kind. She was an avid biker completing two RAGBRAIs with family and friends and getting to know Donald Kaul along the way. She would walk and shell for hours on the white sand beaches of Florida with the gentle waves lapping at her ankles. Linda loved children and cherished the many years she spent in the Spirit Lake Elementary Kindergarten classroom helping to instill in children the love of reading and learning. She was a champion of early childhood education.
Most of all she loved her family and they loved her in return. Love came easily for Linda and she shared it freely. Her concerns where always for others and never herself.
Very few people were aware of her long courageous battle with breast cancer which she chose to wage privately. She was always very positive as she maintained an active lifestyle with family and friends while continuing to enjoy summers at her Okoboji home and winters at her Florida home.
Linda passed peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020, in her home, surrounded by her family, who were so blessed to be able to care for her during the final weeks of her life.
Linda is survived by Tom, her loving husband of 52 years, their children Jen (Brian) Nicholson, Woodbury, MN; Patrick (Gillian) Madigan, West Des Moines, IA and Nicole (Ryan) Simmons, Clive, IA. Also grandchildren Drew and Madigan Nicholson; Hallie, Neil and Colin Madigan and Tommy Simmons.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Irene Vasos and her brother David. She is survived by her brother Don Vasos (Arbie) Mission, KS; sister Judy Baczewski (Tony) Oakland, CA; sister Pat Altfillisch (Rob) Norwalk, IA; brother Joe Vasos (Becky) Ft. Collins, CO and brother Dave Vasos (Carolyn) Bloomington, MN; along with a very large, loving extended family.
Linda was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, mentor and friend to many. She loved and was loved by all who knew her and her lessons will live on in the hearts of all of us. Rest well, dear Linda,until we meet again.
A Funeral Mass for Linda was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Milford on Friday, September 25.
Linda’s family is so grateful to Father Tim Johnson for the comfort and support he provided to Linda and our family during this difficult time.
To view a video remembering Linda Madigan created by her brother, Joe Vasos, go to https://vimeo.com/460404901.
The family looks forward to a Celebration of Linda’s Life which will be held at a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Linda’s name be made to the talented, compassionate, and dedicated people at Lakes Regional Hospice (P.O. Box AB, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360). They are so grateful for their help and support to allow family to care for Linda in their home.