NEWELL, Linda J. (1943-2017)

NEWELL

Posted By: Karon King (email)
Date: 5/31/2017 at 14:41:27

Linda Joyce Newell
(July 2, 1943 - March 26, 2017)

Linda Joyce Newell, 73, passed away on March 26, 2017 at Good Samaritan Society in Indianola, IA. She was born on July 2, 1943 in Algona, IA to Kenneth and Bessie (Humphrey) McCoy.
Linda grew up in Estherville, IA. She married James R. Kunze in 1963 in Minneapolis, MN and became a doting mother to daughters Lisa Jo and Lori Ann. After living on the East Coast, Linda returned to Iowa and married Phillip Newell in 1974 in Indianola, where she became step-mother to his children Terry Glea, Steven Wayne, Jack Dean and Vernelle Radene. Over their 43 years together they happily provided birthday and holiday celebration space and unconditional love for multiple generations of family and many dear friends.
Linda worked at McCluen Pharmacy, Pittsburg Paints and the Indianola Veterinary Clinic before taking on a new challenge as the owner and operator of Simply Linda’s consignment shop in downtown Indianola. With that, she owned and managed one of the historical buildings on the square, along with an upstairs rental apartment. Linda delighted in participating in town events, using her family and friends as live mannequins and providing hand-made costumes, music and joy to all who passed by. She also helped manage and did the bookwork for Newell Construction, Inc., supporting her husband Phil with self-taught computer skills for many years.
Linda was a member of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce and the Indianola Red Hat Society, was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, attended a Linda Convention, and was a founding member of The Royal Order of Groundhogs. She sold the retail shop and retired early to care for her husband while he survived throat cancer. After that, they fulfilled their dream of settling on a beautiful farm in southern Warren County, where Phillip built her a pond and provided her comfort as her health deteriorated.
Linda graced her family and friends with her warm heart, sharp wit and caring soul. She loved to paint and created sketches for the 1st commemorative plates for the Warren County Historical Society. Her artistic talents were many, she also enjoyed crafts, sewing, knitting and played online games. She taught herself how to use computers on a first generation Radio Shack Tandy, and kept in touch with family and friends until Corticobasal Degeneration, a Parkinson's Plus Syndrome, robbed her of the ability to do so.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Bessie McCoy and beloved grandson, Anthony Ray “Tony” Wylie. Linda is survived by her spouse Phillip Wayne of Indianola; their children, Terry G. (Sheryl) Newell, Steven W. Newell, Jack D. (Rhonda) Newell, Vernelle R. (Larry) Wylie, Lisa J. Kunze, Lori A. (Mark) Miner; brothers, Robert V., Richard D., Daryl L.; and sister, Kendra S. McCoy; along with many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great, and great-great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held April 5, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Avenue, Indianola, IA where family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, [http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]