Linda Ruth Sawer

It is with heavy hearts that the Sawer family announces the passing of their matriarch, Linda Ruth Sawer, on November 8, 2025, in Ankeny, Iowa. She passed peacefully in home hospice watching I Love Lucy at the age of 79.

A celebration of life visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa 50023.)

Linda was born June 10, 1946, to Robert and Rosa Ann (Taylor) Herselius. The oldest of four children, Linda often coached her three younger brothers in cunning and sarcasm. Her brothers, Robert "Bob", Jim, and Ted, empowered Linda to think outside of social boundaries and embrace whatever doors the world opened.

Graduating from North High School in Des Moines in 1964, Linda and her best friend, Carol, headed to Drake University. The pair, often referring to themselves as Ernie and Bert, decided to join the Peace Corps and head to Africa after graduation.

Linda's life would change forever when she landed in Ghana, Africa in 1968. As a Biology and Health Science teacher at a secondary school in Tafo, she embraced the people and culture. Falling for a young physics teacher who worked with her, Linda married Peter Sawer April 15, 1971. Linda remained in Ghana for ten years, teaching and building students into better people and scientists.

Linda convinced Peter to move to Iowa in 1977 where they lived in Ankeny. She worked for the University of Iowa Neonatal Unit assisting with testing newborns. Linda eventually got a job with the Division of Criminal Investigation in 1984, as a DNA Analyst. As a result of her training with the FBI Academy, Linda worked testing samples of DNA, and testified as an expert witness in criminal cases connecting DNA to suspects. Linda retired in 2008.

Linda and Peter adopted their first child, Katie, in 1987 and two older sisters, Latrice and Sharika, in 1989. The family settled in Ames and took the town by storm. Linda was a fierce advocate for her children throughout their lives, insisting on quality education and equal opportunities for them, regardless of the speed bumps along the way. Her three girls became the topic of most conversations, and she taught them the same ambition she had. As the sisters grew, they became versed in advocacy for themselves and others. Their friends found the Sawer house to be a place of community, comfort, and belonging. Everyone was welcome at Hotel Sawer, and Linda never denied anyone of any need or comfort.

In her retirement years, Linda enjoyed all that Ames had to offer. She spent significant time helping establish the Mental Health Wellness Center and was deeply embedded in the peer program with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Linda enjoyed spending time with her friends–affectionately referred to as her sisters–Susan and Royce. She was deeply passionate about politics and never missed Rachel Maddow on Monday nights. Peter and Linda would often listen to their favorite musicals while doing the New York Times Spelling Bee. Over the years, she loved visiting with her grandchildren watching them discover the world.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rosa Ann "Rosie" and Robert "Bob" Herselius; her brother, Robert "Bob" Herselius; her aunts, Gretchen Rose and Karolyn "Judy" Huglin; and her uncle, George "Bert" Taylor. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Peter Sawer; brothers, Ted (Dawn) Herselius and Jim (Elise) Herselius; her daughters, Latrice (Shane) Brauckman and Katie (Nathan) Mayotte; several nieces and nephews; and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to NAMI or another organization focusing on advocacy for under-represented or silenced peoples in her name.