Linda Hamer

LINDA HAMER

Ely

Linda L. Hamer, daughter of Ivan and Opal "Izetta" Wild Helbig, was born Sept. 29, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and died Dec. 12, 2014, at her home in Ely, Iowa, under the loving care of Unity Point Hospice and her family and friends. She was 71 years of age. Services at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Linda was raised and attended school in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School class of 1961. On June 12, 1964, she married William A. Hamer, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. Linda and Bill met during their childhood and were always together. This past summer, the couple would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were a testament to what true love and companionship is all about and were blessed to have the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. To this union two children were born, Amy Jo and Abby Lynn. After their marriage, they lived and raised their family in the Ely community.

Linda worked at St. Luke's Hospital in the histology lab for 42 years, certified as a histology technician by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Linda retired in 2011. She greatly enjoyed her co-workers and considered them lifelong friends.

Her hobbies included stamping and crafting. She loved working in her flower beds, decorating for the holidays and socializing with her friends. She had fond memories of the time she spent with her friends from Odie's.

Her love for the holidays wasn't only shown in decorating her home she also greatly enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and any occasion to share time with family and friends. For decades, she baked and individually decorated holiday cookies for all of her friends, family and neighbors.

Her greatest joy and most precious accomplish-ment was her family. She was proud of her girls and was the best grandmother to Maddison and Malina. She was so proud of Maddison's accomplish-ments and she loved watching Malina grow. At the hospital, when asked to tell about herself, she said, "I have two grand-daughters." She loved bragging about Maddison and Malina any time she was given the chance.

She was a member of the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary and had previously been an active member of the Cedar Rapids Horsemen's Club.

Linda loved to vacation in Cozumel, Mexico, with her family. Bill started the Cozumel vacation tradition in which Linda continued with her family following Bill's passing. She loved the sun and the mango margaritas at Casa Denis.

Following Bill's death on June 19, 2007, Linda's constant companion was her miniature schnauzer, Lola. Lola was completely spoiled rotten.

She always put her family before herself and her complete unselfishness shown through following her cancer diagnosis. She was a beautiful, brave, positive warrior and had come to peace with her diagnosis. Her laughter, smile and love for her family will be missed by so many.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Izetta Helbig; her husband, William A. Hamer on June 19, 2007; her father and mother-in-law, Allen and Viola Hamer; her siblings, Patricia School and JD Murfield; and her brother-in-law, Frank Michalec.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughters, Amy and Robert Stone of Marshalltown and Abby and Frank Bowman of North Liberty; and her granddaughters, Maddison Wignall of Iowa City and Malina Bowman of North Liberty.

She lovingly welcomed into her family Rob's children, Johnathon and Jennifer Stone, Julia Stone and Madalynn Stone, all of Ames.

Linda is also survived by her brother-in-law, Kenneth and Barb Hamer of Cedar Rapids; and sister-in-law, Karen Michalec of Ely; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.

Linda's family would like to thank all of our friends, family members and hospice staff who gathered around her so she was able to be cared for in her home. Your commitment to our mother will not be forgotten. We believe this represents the kind of woman she was, loved by many. She made this world a better place and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedar

memorial.com under Obituaries.