Visitation Thursday, September 08, 2016 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM First Baptist Church, Hawarden, Iowa
A Prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm at Thursday, at the church.
Funeral Service Friday, September 9, 2016 10:30 AM First Baptist Church, Hawarden, Iowa

Linda A. Hughes, 67, of Hawarden, Iowa, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Hawarden following a long battle with colon cancer. Services will be held 10:30 am, Friday, September 9, 2016, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Stuart Schreur officiating. A visitation will be held from 4-8 with family present from 6-8 and a prayer service at 7:00 pm, Thursday, September 8, 2016, at the church. Burial will be at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Linda was born on August 7, 1949, in Manning, Iowa, the daughter of George Edward and LaVerne Florence (Berreth) Hughes. She graduated from West Sioux High School in 1967. After graduation, Linda moved to Chicago, Illinois area to become a nanny (She definitely had the experience with 7 younger brother and sisters). She then moved to Minneapolis to continue being a nanny and back to Hawarden in 1977. She then received her associates of arts from Sioux Empire College in Hawarden in 1980, and a Master Gardener degree from USD in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Linda worked for 30 years at Hawarden Independent/Advertiser from 1977 to 2007. She held the position of District Manager of newspaper carriers for Media Max in Sheldon, Iowa, for 23 years, from 1993-2016. She also did merchandising for American Greetings for 10 years. Linda last worked at Royal Meadows Health Care in Sioux Center, Iowa, as a laundry associate for 17 years, retiring in May of 2016 due to her declining health.

Linda was very involved with the Hawarden Community and surrounding communities. She previously served on the Headstart Parent Policy Council from 1989-1992, past member of West Sioux Educational Foundation, and assisted with the Iowa gravestone project. Linda was actively involved in the Hudson, South Dakota, Garden Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #1865, Retail Community Events Committee which is a subsidiary of the Hawarden Chamber, foster grandparent at West Sioux Elementary in Ireton, Iowa, past president of Hawarden Kiwanis, and enjoyed the Community Garden for a number of years and giving away the majority of her harvest. Currently, Linda had been focusing on being chairperson of the Hawarden Farmer's Market.

It is ironic that Linda passed on Labor Day weekend, she had many a hand in volunteering for Big Sioux River Day's activities for many years.

Linda was an active, lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Hawarden. She served faithfully on the Christian Education Board, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, Deaconess, organized the set up and roses of the Valentine's Banquet, Ladies Aide, along with countless behind the scenes, untold missions.

Linda loved to read and had a huge collection of books that could be considered a library. She enjoyed doing embroidery and created a multitude of projects over the years. Linda had a natural green thumb, providing beauty for all with her personal favorite being the Martha Washington Geraniums. To many in the community, Linda was known as the "Apple Lady." She had a collection of apples, in all sizes and designs. One thing Linda looked forward to every year, was attending the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo in Mitchell, South Dakota, each July.

Linda was diagnosed in January of 2014 with stage 3B colon cancer. She chose to fight, and fight she did. She went through multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, fighting battles all the way. Linda stayed strong and positive throughout, putting her fate in God's hands. Once diagnosed, Linda became part of Phil's friends, a nonprofit organization that provides support and hope for those affected by cancer. She would receive care packages from adults and children all over the country, and they would send up prayers for her and wish her well.

Her family and friends supported her with "I wear Blue for Linda." Linda attended the Sioux County Relay For Life in 2014 and 2015, her team and supporters bearing shirts with this logo. In 2016, during rough weeks of radiation, she was unable to attend.

Survivors include her son, Noah Hughes and his special friend, Karen and her children, Addison, Aubrey, and Micah of Alexandria, South Dakota; mother, LaVerne Madock of Hawarden; siblings, Charlie (Beanie) Hughes of Hawarden, Georgia Opsahl> of Addison, Illinois, Karen (Glen) Longhorn of Hawarden, Dennis Hughes of Littleton, Colorado, Carol (Tom) Hegarty of Lone Tree, Colorado, and Jeff (Lill) Hughes of Estherville, Iowa; Uncle and Aunt Rudy and Jackie Berreth of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 14 nieces and nephews; 18 great-nieces and nephews; grandson "by heart" Daniel Nyreen of Alcester, South Dakota; and special great-niece, Grace Allen of Hawarden.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, George E. Hughes in 1980; sister, Penelope (Penny) Barnum-Myers in 1995; and step-father, Dick Madock in 2007.