Showman, Linda Jean

Linda Jean Showman, 70, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Paul Wilcox. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. Graveside services: 1:30 p.m. Friday at Golden Prairie Cemetery, Ryan.

Survivors include her daughters, Jill Showman of Wasilla, Ala., and Sara Showman of Hiawatha; her mother, Harriet Mangold of Manchester; her siblings, Gloria House of Ankeny, Helen Bormann of Loveland, Ohio, Ed Mangold of Aurora, Colo., and Beverly Mangold of Portland, Ore.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Linda was born Jan. 20, 1941, in Manchester, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Harriet Mangold. She grew up on the family farm near Ryan, and graduated from Manchester High School. In 1963, Linda completed her degree in Library Science with a math minor from the State College of Iowa (UNI). She married Gerald Showman in 1968. They had two daughters and divorced in 1999, but still remained in contact at the time of her death.

Linda was a media specialist at Marion High School, Kennedy High School and Erskine Elementary School. She also received a master's degree in education from Marycrest College. She loved to read and shared that love with hundreds of students throughout the community during her 35 year teaching career. Linda had a gift of making books come alive as she read them to children.

She was a member of the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. After retiring from the Cedar Rapids Community Schools, she volunteered in the office at Lovely Lane, was active in the church choir, book club, Prayer Shawl Ministry and United Methodist Women. Many members of the church have received her shawls.

Linda also was an active member of the East Iowa Heirloom Quilters (EIHQ) and a small quilt group. She enjoyed making quilts with other volunteers in the Share Our Skills (SOS) program. Quilts are given to various local charities and people in need. After the flood, over 1,800 quilts were given to those who had lost their homes.

Linda also was a member of While Others Sleep (mystery lover's book club) at the Hiawatha Public Library. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.

Family and friends remember Linda for her quick smile and compassion to others.

Contributions may be made to the Linda J. Showman Memorial Fund.

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