Linda Recker

LINDA KAYE THOMAE RECKER Iowa City Linda Kaye Thomae Recker, 67, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Fort Collins, Colo., with her daughter by her side. Linda was born March 6, 1949, to Mary (Werner) and Leland Cornwall. She met her wonderful husband, Gary Recker, on a Windjammer Cruise in May 1996. On Aug. 23, 2003, Linda and Gary were married. Linda retired from the University of Iowa in 2007, where she was a program assistant with risk management. What we remember most about Linda is her genuine compassion for others, her love of animals and her immense love and pride for her family. Linda was actively involved in her grandchildren's lives. They made up games, the louder and the crazier, the better. She would sing songs at the top of her lungs, some actual songs, some made up off the top of her head. The grandkids still sing these songs to this day. Linda was president and a member of BIC (Bicyclists of Iowa City). She enjoyed RAGBRAI (The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), participated in GRABAAWR (GReat Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River) and was an avid runner who medaled in countless road races. She spent many weekends hiking and XC skiing. A world traveler, lifelong learner, avid reader and a pacifist, Linda could be found standing on the side of the road in the freezing cold Iowa weather with her "Honk for Peace" sign. While in the early stages of her disease, Linda traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about the horrific reality of living with Alzheimer's disease. Linda had planned to spend her retirement years sailing around the world with her husband and dog, Jake, by her side. While both Linda and Gary left us too soon, it provides some consolation to her children knowing that she and Gary (Hazel and Gracie) are sailing Heaven's great oceans together. Linda is survived by her daughter, Melanie (Thomae) Schnetzler, son-in-law, Greg Schnetzler, of Bristow, Va.; and her daughter, Jennifer Thomae of Fort Collins; four grandchildren, Ariel Thomae, Olivia Schnetzler, Waverly Schnetzler and Jackson Schnetzler; great-grandson, Greyson Artz; and her dog, Jake. Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Gary B. Recker; her parents, Leland and Mary Cornwall; her great-grandparents, Arthur and Clara Poggenpohl Cornwall and Elma and Axel Werner; and her faithful furry companions, Hazel and Gracie. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Linda's name.