Godwin, Linda M.

Linda M. Godwin, 64, of Cedar Rapids and Las Vegas, Nevada, died at Mercy Medical Center with her family at her side on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Catholic Church by the Rev. David Beckman. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home today from 4 to 7 p.m., where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Ron; her children, Jeffrey (Teresa) Kapler of Plymouth, Minn. and Chad (Whitney) Kapler of Chandler, Ariz,; father, Orrin Smith of Cedar Rapids; her siblings, Colleen Hamilton of Plano, Texas, Ronald Smith of Dubuque, Patricia Smith of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Carol Smith of Marion, Ellen Eihausen and Laurie Smith, both of Fort Collins, Colo., and Orrin Smith Jr. of Coggon; three grandchildren, Drake, Jack and Michael Kapler; her father-in-law, Henry Godwin of Cedar Rapids; her in-laws, Dennis Godwin of Olympia, Wash., Marshall Godwin, Deborah Godwin, Laurie Erlacher, Brian Godwin, Amy Godwin and Mark Godwin, all of Cedar Rapids. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Smith.

Linda was born December 26, 1945 in Dubuque to Orrin and Rita Smith. She married Ron Godwin in Cedar Rapids on August 30, 1997. Linda worked for Square D. Company for 28 years and also was adviser to Ron in the restaurant business. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and Spanish Trail Country Club, Las Vegas, Nev.

Linda was reliable and dependable, a true giver in life, often making sacrifices of her own to help others meet their own needs. She was someone who never took pity on herself in challenging times, instead rising to the occasion and leading by example.

Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. There was nothing she valued more than spending time with her family.

She also enjoyed seeing the world in her later years, whether in Australia witnessing the Olympics, riding a gondola in Italy, or in Vegas at Spanish Trail Country Club sipping on a Santa Margherita before a night out on the strip playing video poker.

Admired by so many, she will be greatly missed. Her strength and strong will, combined with compassion and a positive outlook on life, made her a very unique and influential person who has touched the lives of so many who knew her.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mercy Medical Center and the staff of the Intensive Care Unit for the loving care they gave to Linda.

Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew's Building Fund or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be sent to under Obituaries.