Linda Rees

SIGOURNEY – Linda Rees, age 82, of Sigourney, completed her earthly journey on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Linda was born January 31, 1943, in Mahaska County, Iowa, and spent her early years attending country school near What Cheer before graduating from Sigourney High School. She later graduated from the Minneapolis Institute of Technology, setting the foundation for a lifelong career in healthcare.

On November 1, 1969, she married the love of her life, Bill Rees, at the Sigourney United Methodist Church. Together, they built a life filled with warmth, welcome, and unwavering devotion. For over four decades, Linda served the people of Keokuk County as a Radiology and Medical Laboratory Technologist at the Keokuk County Hospital. Her gentle hands and steady heart were behind countless x-rays and blood draws; many in the community will fondly remember her calm, caring presence during times of need. She also shared her talents part-time with Drs. Opus and Puang Jutaba, always offering her patients the best of her expertise and compassion.

Linda was a faithful member of the Delta Methodist Church and the Aspasia Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, and she generously gave of herself through both community and quiet acts of kindness.

Yet above all, Linda’s proudest and most cherished role was being Grandma. She lit up at the mention of her grandchildren’s names, attending plays, concerts, and games with unmatched enthusiasm. She even traded in her long-time license plate “LABXRAY” for “GRAMA4X,” declaring to the world the title she loved most. Whether she was driving the RAGBRAI support bus across Iowa to cheer on her son and friends or sharing mint chocolate chip ice cream with the grandkids, Linda’s joy was in every small moment made meaningful by love.

She had an eye for hidden treasures and could turn a Saturday of antiquing or yard saling into an adventure. She opened her heart — and her home —to everyone, treating strangers like friends and friends like family. Together with her husband Bill, she made their home a refuge, a gathering place, and a source of comfort for so many. There was always room at their home and a place at the Thanksgiving table for anyone who wanted to share in their joy.

Linda is survived by her children, Dick (Carol) Rees of Palmyra, Missouri, and Stephanie (Rob) Campbell of Oskaloosa; her beloved grandchildren, Shelby Rees, William Campbell, Rees Campbell, and Allison Campbell; her brother, Rick (Thaydean) Axmear of Sanford, North Carolina; her sister-in-law, Marietta Axmear; many nieces, nephews, and treasured friends; and her extra special friend, Anne Herr Duinink.

A memorial service celebrating Linda’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the What Cheer Methodist Church, with Pastor Vince Homan officiating. Burial will follow at a later date at Henness Cemetery near Oskaloosa. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Powell Funeral Home in Sigourney, with a Masonic service at 5:30 p.m., followed by an Eastern Star service.

The Bill and Linda Rees Memorial has been established in honor of their generous spirits, through Bank Iowa in Oskaloosa. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Linda and her family. Tributes may be shared at www.powellfuneralhomes.com, and friends are invited to contribute photos for the tribute video at https://www.tributeslides.com/up/49059274913892 by noon on Saturday.

Linda Rees lived a life rich with love, faith, and service. Her hands healed, her words comforted, and her heart embraced all who knew her. She will be dearly missed — and remembered always.