Linda Katherine Stiles

Linda K. Stiles, born May 13, 1948, in Oelwein, IA. Died Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Sacred Heart Care Center, Austin, MN. Daughter of Betty (Steimel) and Howard Stiles. Linda grew up in Oelwein and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1966.  A longtime resident of Waterloo, she later lived in Austin, MN with family.  Linda deeply loved all her extended family, friends, and fur babies with unbridled joy. She was the family fact master. A lifelong fighter for her independence, she was gleeful, finally living on her own at age 65 and kept the family busy with her escapades. Hawkeye spirit permeated her daily life. She was a savant of Hawkeye football and basketball players, coaches, and stats.  Linda shared that one of her happiest moments in life was meeting the Hawkeye legendary coach, Lute Olson with whom they exchanged many notes and cards over the decades. Linda's love of Iowa extended through her work at the Boys & Girls Club and Goodwill Industry. Linda was awarded the Iowa Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010. Her determination to enjoy life willed her body to defy medical logic and survive multiple near-death experiences, starting with her fight to live during birth.  Her siblings’ lives will be so dull without her mischievous spirit.   

Survivors include her siblings, Rebecca (Ken), Jim (Merlene), and Kara; nieces, Andrea, and Gabby (Jordan); nephew, Jay (Brittany); great nephews, Talan and Kesler; and twin great nieces, Emie, and Charlie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Betty Stiles, and brother, Mike. All received many Linda bear hugs and unconditional love.