Linda Elaine Squiers passed away peacefully at her home in Story City, Iowa on March 1, 2020 after a courageous one- year struggle with cancer. A visitation will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (2900 Hoover Ave, Ames, IA) Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 9:00-11:00 a.m., with funeral mass following at 11:00 a.m.
Linda was born on March 24, 1944 and raised by her parents Alice and Florian Ott in the northeast Iowa town of Cresco. She attended elementary school at St. Joseph Catholic School and continued her education at Notre Dame High School in Cresco, IA, graduating with the class of 1962. It is at Notre Dame High School that she met her husband of 55 years, David J. Squiers.
David and Linda were united in marriage on August 29, 1964 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cresco. From that marriage, Linda became the mother of six children, Richard (Kim) Kearney, NE; Kelly Jordison (Kirk) Ankeny, IA; Jennifer Dalgliesh (Jason) Ames, IA; Melinda Loftin (Kraig) Grinnell, IA; Lisa Vos (Nathan) Lafayette, IN; and Robert (Ann) Gilbert, IA; Twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren then expanded the Squiers family in the years to come: Jordan, Becky, David, Maddie, Anna, and Callie Squiers from Rick and Kim; Tyler, Austin, and Jared Jordison from Kelly and Kirk; Brooke, Sadie, Sam and Ben from Jennifer and Jason; Cody, Colton, Haley and Zac from Melinda and Kraig; Eli from Lisa and Nathan; and Carson, Hayden, and Josephine from Robert and Ann. Three great grandchildren also added joy to her life: Mason (Haley Loftin), Amelia (Sam Dalgliesh), and Graham (Tyler and Emma Jordison).
Linda is survived by her loving husband David; a sister, Gilda Mullen (John) of Cresco, IA and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins as well as her 100 year old mother-in-law, Ruth Squiers of Belle Plaine, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florian and Alice Ott.
During her 75 years of life, Linda enjoyed many activities. She was an avid reader who easily consumed books at a rate of 6 times the number of her English major husband read. She also enjoyed playing “Words with Friends” on the internet with grandkids and friends; and, no, she never let anyone win, including the grandchildren. Linda enjoyed antiques (particularly antique jewelry) and collected it at every opportunity. Flea markets, garage sales, and auctions were never to be bypassed, and EBAY and “Wish” were on speed dial on her phone and computer. Linda also enjoyed the time spent at the lake cabin in northwest Minnesota. She particularly looked forward to the large family gatherings that occurred most summers at the lake. The hummingbirds and quiet sunsets of the lake, along with the sound of the loons always comforted her.
But most of all, Linda was a loving mother to her children and grandchildren and a devoted life partner with her husband. She loved watching her children participate in school athletics, music, and all other areas. She followed the career of her husband (a basketball coach for 36 years) at every opportunity, missing only three of his games during his entire career; once to give birth to her second child and twice due to illness. She could always be seen in the stands “quietly” cheering on the teams and “helping” officials make the right calls.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to JDRF ONE WALK Team Austin, a search for the cure of Juvenile Diabetes.
