Linda Sue Beeson 1948-2012

BEESON SPARKS WENDEL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/27/2012 at 13:08:10

Sioux City Journal
September 21, 2012

Linda S. Beeson, 64, of Anthon passed away Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital of complications related to leukemia.

A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at United Church of Christ in Anthon, with the Rev. Kody Killian officiating. There will be a time of sharing food and fellowship in the church basement following the service. Private graveside services will be at a later date in Arlington Township Cemetery, Moville, Iowa. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon. The obituary can be found and online condolences can be directed to the family at www.armstrongfuneral.com.

Linda Sue Beeson was born on Aug. 22, 1948, in Anthon, the daughter of Lester and Millie (Sparks) Wendel. She grew up in Northwest Iowa, primarily in Anthon, and graduated from Eastwood High School in Correctionville, Iowa with the Class of 1967.

On Feb. 17, 1968, Linda was united in marriage to Gary Beeson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Anthon. The couple farmed near Anthon for eight years and then moved into town. While raising her own three children, Linda operated a day care in her home for many years. She later earned her certification in library science and subsequently managed the Anthon Public Library for seven years. She worked at the Christian Book Store in Sioux City for a year and was currently employed as the school librarian at Maple Valley-Anthon Oto School in Anthon. Linda was recognized as a genius in her knowledge of literature.

She was a member of United Church of Christ in Anthon along with various Bible study groups. She was known as the "Candy Lady" at the church as the result of her always volunteering to bring smear-proof candy for the kids at church events. She was also a member of the Anthon Women's Card Club.

Linda loved to decorate any environment she inhabited along with sharing her talent of design with her family, a gift they eagerly appreciated. Her family was the greatest love in her life, with a wild passion for her grandchildren. It was her mission in life to bless her grandchildren. She purposely saved her energy, even in the midst of her illness, to spend cherished time with her grandchildren.

Survivors left to cherish their memories of Linda include Gary, her husband of 44 years; three children, Stephanie Clutts and her husband, Joel of Des Moines, and their daughter, Vivian, Lisa Martinson and her husband, Chip of Milwaukee, Wis., and their daughters, Lizzie and Emma Jane, and Blake Beeson and his wife, Disa of Anthon and their sons, Kobi and Ashton Knudson; her mother, Millie Bowers of Moville, Iowa; one sister, Lorna Hochwender of Kansas City, Mo.; one brother and his wife, David and Penny Wendel of San Antonio, Texas; along with other family members; and good friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Lester Wendel; one brother, Jeffrey Alan Wendel; her maternal grandparents, Frank and Bessie Sparks; her paternal grandparents, Hans and Alma Wendel; and her stepfather, Wayne Bowers.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Linda's good friend, Deke, who was diagnosed with leukemia and preparing for bone marrow transplant. Memorials can be mailed to Armstrong Funeral Home, 210 S. Fifth St., Mapleton, IA 51034.