Linda Lewis

LINDA LEWIS

Cedar Rapids

With great sadness Linda Lewis, 68, passed away Friday, April 15, 2016, from a short battle with ovarian cancer. She fought a tough fight through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Linda was born in Cedar Rapids on March 3, 1948. Her parents were Joseph (Gordy) and Marie Shimek. She married Dennis Lewis on Dec. 18, 1966, in Cedar Rapids. They lived their entire lives in Cedar Rapids and were going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Mexico later this year. Linda loved to travel, try new things, craft, repurpose furniture and cook. She had a strong support network of friends and having a good time, without sadness, is what so many loved about her. She and her husband were inseparable and owned Lewis Equipment together for over 20 years. Her greatest love was her grandchildren. She was always at every birth, holiday and event. She loved to spoil them and knew what great blessings they all were.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gary Shimek.

Linda is survived by her husband, Dennis; daughters, Lisa Brandt (Jay) of Marion and Kerri Shimp (Zach) of Cedar Falls; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Shimp, 20, Natalie Shimp, 18, Ellie Shimp, 14, and Kane Shimp, 11, all of Cedar Falls, and Grant Akery, 13, of Marion. She is also survived by one brother, Ron Shimek (Linda) of Swisher.

The family would like to thank Dr. Goodheart and his team at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The compassion they showed for almost a year has been amazing. We would also like to say thank you to Marci Tucker of Solon for her countless hours assisting Linda and Dennis in working through the maze during the last months of Linda's life.

Linda's body has been donated to the University of Iowa to help in advancing research in ovarian cancer.

In keeping with the wishes of Linda and her husband a celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Naso's in Marion.