Halsey, Linda Coe

Linda Coe Halsey, 69, died on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, of breast cancer in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she had lived since 1969. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 28, at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 First St. NW, Mount Vernon. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is handling arrangements.

She was a beloved and revered member of the Mount Vernon community who touched many people's lives. Born Linda Lee Coe on August 24, 1941, in Centerville, Iowa, she was valedictorian of the last graduating class from Udel High School, and received her RN at St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Ottumwa. She married Charles H. Halsey Jr. on July 2, 1966, at Danforth Chapel in Iowa City.

She worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital before going to work for Dr. Finken in Cedar Rapids. When Dr. Finken became the physician at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, Linda became the first female nurse employed in the State of Iowa Prison system. Later, she worked as the school nurse at Anamosa School District; camp nurse at the Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park; staff nurse at Weld County General Hospital, Colo.; camp nurse at Camp Hadar, Clinton, Conn.; administrative assistant for the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service; and as a stay-at-home mother. In recent years, she worked as the stockroom manager at Cornell College's West Science.

She was predeceased by her mother and father, Willadene and Charlie Coe.

In addition to her husband, survivors include daughter, Anne Halsey of San Marcos, Texas, her husband, Jeff Helgeson and their children Sadie, Charlie and Jesse Helgeson; daughter, Gail Halsey Bertram of Oshkosh, Wis., her husband, Patrick Bertram and their son Liam; foster sons, James Baker of Crystal Lake, Minn., and Russell Baker of Newport News, Va.; cousins, Leanne Mitchell McConville of Sisters, Ore., and Nelson Mitchell of Chapel Hill, N.C.; as well as numerous extended family members and close friends.

She was a valued member of Entre Nous, TTT, PEO, Mount Vernon Sewing Group, Cornell Book Group and the Ladies' Bridge Club. She was a friend of the First Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she led Junior Great Books groups in the Mount Vernon Elementary School and chaperoned various Mount Vernon High School group trips. She enjoyed sewing, reading, collecting recipes, traveling and the arts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, Mount Vernon School Foundation, Hospice of Mercy and First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .