Linda Neal Medland

Linda Neal (Cathcart) Medland, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2016 at Park Centre in Newton. She was the daughter of James and LaVera (McKern) Cathcart. Linda was born Nov. 21, 1940 in Centerville. She attended schools in Centerville and graduated in 1959. Linda then went on to the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in 1964. She began teaching English that fall at the Marshalltown Senior High School where she remained for five years.

Linda married Bill Medland in 1967. Due to Bill’s employment, they would move to Cedar Falls. Linda took a teaching job at Peet Jr. High School and remained there for nine years. In 1977, Linda and Bill moved to Creston where she taught English and speech at the Creston Jr. College and Buena Vista College. Linda also worked for Heartland Area 14 and led the Future Problem Solver program for that area. While living in Creston, Linda belonged to many organizations. In 2000, they moved to Newton to be closer to family. Linda and Bill moved to Wesley Park Center in 2014. Linda was a Master Gardener, a member of Sunbonnet Questers, was an avid reader and loved to go antiquing.

Linda is survived by her husband, Bill Medland; her sister, Ella Hendershot; her nieces, Ann Buch and Lynn Trease; three cousins and two brothers-in-law and their families. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. just prior to the service. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville at 4:30 p.m. following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League or the Good Samaritan Fund at Part Centre.

The family wants to thank the staff at the Skilled Care Center at Park Centre and Hospice of Wesley Park Centre.