Linda Marie Hale

Linda Marie Hale, 77, of Waukee, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Edgewater in West Des Moines, Iowa. She successfully battled cancer four times before her heart eventually gave out.

Linda was born on December 24, 1947, in Marshalltown, Iowa. She was the daughter of Ernie and Frances Clemens. Linda grew up in many Iowa cities while her dad worked construction, and they eventually settled in Collins, Iowa. Linda met Jim Hale while attending Collins High School. They married in 1968, spending 57 wonderful years together.

Linda and Jim moved to Norwalk in 1975, where they raised their two children, Tracy and Jeff, whom Linda dedicated her life to. Many Norwalk graduates remember Linda's famous chocolate marshmallow cookies at classroom visits and school activities. On top of being the most awesome mom ever, Linda taught preschool at the Norwalk Methodist Church, worked at Norwest bank, was a nanny for a wonderful family, and worked at Hy Vee for many years. Linda always had a smile on her face, and strangers instantly became friends. Her Hy Vee lines would be long, just waiting for Linda. She was renowned for always putting others first and never forgetting to send a card on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and every other occasion she could think of.

Linda loved playing any type of game, but especially loved cards, bingo, and her game shows. Linda was a member of numerous card clubs, including one in Norwalk that had played together for over 40 years. She passed this love of cards and games onto her children and grandchildren. She was always found surrounded by her 6 grandkids playing some sort of game.

After retirement, Jim and Linda rented and eventually bought a home in Goodyear, AZ where so many memories were made. Linda of course went to cards most days and loved all the shows and concerts at Pebblecreek. They met so many friends there and thoroughly enjoyed their time down south.

Linda's greatest joy was her family. As if being an awesome mom wasn't enough, she was the BEST grandma ever! Linda always had pictures to show and she talked nonstop about all 6 of them. Her favorite place was wherever the grandkids were. She would be found at all the sporting events, dance recitals, grandparents days, cousin overnights, Memorial Day in Collins, and at the game table. There was always a family vacation or cruise being planned and card games always ended the evening. As the family grew, the table and memories grew along with it. She was able to travel the world with her entire family every year and those memories will be treasured by all of us.

Linda's love and memory will be carried on by her husband of 57 years, Jim Hale, her daughter Tracy Hale Jagim, of West Des Moines, IA, her son Jeff Hale of Sussex, WI, as well as her 6 grandchildren, Alex Jagim of West Des Moines, IA, Mikaela (Patrick) Cunningham of Los Angeles, CA, Sydney Hale of Oconomowoc, WI, Maren Hale of Waunakee, WI, Tanner and Keegan Jagim of West Des Moines, IA. Linda also dearly loved her bonus grandchildren Ben, Reagan and Morgan, nieces and nephews and all her friends and family.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Cathy Mullihan, as well as Jim's parents Harold and Norene Hale, and her sister in law Judy Hale.

The family expresses sincere thanks to the staff at Mission Cancer and Blood, Radiation Oncology, Methodist Hospital - Younkers 7th Floor nurses, and Edgewater Skilled Care for their extraordinary care of Linda. They treated her like family and helped her to have a better life as well as a peaceful death.

Services will be held on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, at 11 am at the Norwalk Methodist Church, 1100 Gordon Avenue, Norwalk, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to the services from 9 am until 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, Linda requested memorial contributions be made out to Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Make-A-Wish Foundation. Please send the memorials to the family who will make one large donation to each entity in Linda's memory. For any further questions, please contact Tracy at 515-707-6055.