Linda Mattusch

1941 - 2025

Linda Mattusch

January 1, 1941 - October 11, 2025

Linda Mattusch, beloved wife, dedicated mother, proud grandmother and great grandmother (but don't call her that, call her Buddy!) passed away quietly in Boulder County on October 11, 2025, of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer with her eldest son, Don, and granddaughter, Kristina, at her side.

Linda was born in Waterloo, IA, to Evelyn and Lester Kubik in 1941. She grew up on the family farm outside of Reinbeck with her younger brother Jim, where the family focused on corn and soybean crops. After graduating from the University of Iowa's School of Nursing with a R.N. Degree in 1963, she married Donn Mattusch and set out west to Southern California. She birthed her first son Don in 1965 there, but never felt comfortable in the bustling city environment. She missed the open expanses of land, the agricultural community, windmills, and longed to be around less people. She and Donn looked to get out and found the perfect mix of open spaces and city perks in Boulder Colorado in 1966. Linda then birthed her second son Dan, in 1968. (They divorced in 1976.).

Linda began her 45 year nursing tenure at Boulder Community Hospital in 1966 in the ICU department, but after transferring to the pulmonary department, she realized BCH didn't have, but needed, a respiratory therapy unit. She got advanced certifications and created and ran the newly formed Respiratory Therapy Unit until her departure in 2011. Linda wasn't ready to leave BCH, but in 2010 she waged, and won a battle with Pancreatic Cancer. This gave her another 15 years to enjoy life, travel, and have the chance to meet and cherish her great-granddaughters.

She found the deep and enduring love of her life in the late 70's with Rich Madole, and had a new partner in life and adventure from that day forward. The two soulmates were inseparable and devoted to each other and their families. Together they became very involved in the life of Dan's daughter Kristina, where she became a mother figure again, and had endless joy and satisfaction in helping to raise her.

Linda was thoughtful, kind and compassionate throughout her life, and had many close friends from BCH, her card group (a master at Pinochle, don't even try to beat her tricks and melds!) and started a chapter of The Red Hat Society. (Absolutely loved the poem "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple.") While maintaining and nurturing friendships, she did the same in her garden. She was out daily, tending to all of her plants, and growing the most beautiful roses. Linda loved dancing, attending Dinner Theater, seeking out the best Bed and Breakfasts anywhere in the world. An avid reader, she was always picking up books, trading books, and had regular book rotations going with her friends.

She hated cancer, and hated that it came back. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to a Cancer Society of your choice. A date for her Memorial has not yet been determined.