Palmer, Linda Rae

Linda Rae Palmer, 56, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Funeral services were held Oct. 7 at Randolph Funeral Home in Corydon. Burial: Corydon Cemetery, Corydon.

The Lord has given me the gift of knowing my time on earth is almost completed. So who better than me to tell my life's story.

I began life's adventure on this earth born the second child of three. My parents were Betty Lou (Kemp) and Leo Wayne Palmer of Alburnett, Iowa. I arrived on Feb. 3, 1957, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, joining my older sister, Judy Kay, and later, younger brother, Gary Wayne.

I grew up a tom boy who loved animals of all kinds and loved being outside helping Dad do chores, taking naps with the kittens and going on adventures with Gary. I have loved God the Father all of my life and came to trust and commit my life to His Son, Jesus, at age 15 at a revival at First Baptist Church in Corydon, Iowa. Our family moved from Alburnett in 1971 to Corydon. My grandfather, Irvin E. Kemp, bred, raised and showed registered Black Angus which our family carried on. I loved taking care of the cattle and showing them.

I attended the Medical Institute of Minnesota, where I became a veterinary medical technician. After I interned for three months in Meza, Ariz., it soon became apparent my health would not handle the chemicals and stress. I came back home and worked for over a year at Neely Manufacturing as a UPS packer.

In July 1978, through a friend, I found out about a short-term missionary organization called Christian Service Corps. I wanted to help children know the love of God. With the generous support of friends and family I was able to go to Joy Ranch, a home for children in Hillsville, Va. I came home in July 1981.

I began baby-sitting and later taking care of elderly people in their homes until 1992, when my Dad had a stroke and I found out the Lord had put me through training for the most difficult responsibility of my life. I cared for my parents as they had cared for me all of my life. I took care of both parents until mom's death in April 1995 and continued to care for my Dad until 2000.

I am survived by sister, Judy and Brent Werts of Russell; brother, Gary and Elizabeth Palmer of Corydon; aunts, Martha Kemp Triebel of Urbandale and Joyce (Dick) Oberman of Iowa City; and a large family of cousins and many friends.

I was preceded in death by parents, Leo and Betty Lou Palmer; great-niece, Avery Palmer; grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

When I come to the end of the day and the sun has set for me,

I want no nights in the gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little but not too long and not with your heads bowed low,

Remember the love we once shared, miss me, but then let me go.

For this is a journey we must take and each must go alone,

It's all a part of the makers plan, a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know,

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, miss me, but then let me go.

Published Oct. 13, 2013 in The Gazette