Linda Foland

Linda Lou Foland, daughter of Francis Virden and Fornola (Higday) Virden was born May 11, 1942, in Kellerton, Iowa and passed from this life suddenly on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Foland farm north of Grand River, Iowa at 82 years of age.

Linda grew up in Kellerton, graduating from Kellerton High School with the Class of 1960. She obtained her cosmetology license and styled hair in a beauty shop in her parent’s basement while attending school at Graceland University. Linda was united in marriage to Harold Dean Foland on September 5, 1965, in Kellerton, Iowa. Following their marriage, they both attended Northwest Missouri State University where Linda received a bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career in Stanberry, Missouri and after also having taught for the Grand Valley Community Schools, Linda returned to Northwest Missouri State University and received a master’s degree in reading education.

After Linda and Harold both graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, they lived and taught school near Pateros, Washington for two years prior to returning to and settling near the Foland farm north of Grand River in 1969. Linda taught for the Clarke Community Schools in Weldon and Osceola and Linda and Harold welcomed two daughters, Cherie’ and Stacey. In 1994, Linda and Harold moved to their home and farm southwest of Osceola.

Linda loved helping children with their reading and retired after a combined 35 years of teaching.

Linda enjoyed fellowship and being an active member of her community and church. She was a member of the Kellerton United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, and also attended the Lacelle Church near her home. Linda was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Rebekahs, holding many offices over the years, as well as a member of the Red Hat Society. She was also an active member of the state and local retired teachers’ associations, having served as the state Historian.

Linda enjoyed gardening, caring for her lawn, a large garden and flowers. She enjoyed reading and traveling, trips to Alaska, Australia and Hawaii were her favorites. After she retired, Linda also helped Harold with farming chores.

Linda loved her family, coordinating holiday gatherings and family reunions to bring everyone together. She was a very thoughtful, loving and caring wife, mother, aunt and friend who will be greatly missed.

Those relatives who preceded Linda in death were her parents, Francis and Fornola Virden; sisters, Stephanie Beck and Sandy Campbell; daughter, Cherie’ Renee Foland; in-laws, Roy and Gertrude Foland; and brothers-in-law, Glen and Kendall Foland.

Linda leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 59 years, Harold Foland of Osceola Iowa; daughter and son-in-law, Stacey Foland and Neil Noble of Keller, Texas; sisters and brothers-in-law, Vicki and Vince Jackson of Winterset, Iowa and Mitzi and Gaylen Tann of Waterloo, Iowa; brother, Doug Virden of Boone, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Janet Foland of Fort Collins, Colorado; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola on Wednesday October 30, 2024, at 10:30am with Pastor Justin Akers officiating.

Linda’s family will greet friends on Tuesday, October 29th at Kale Funeral Home, an Eastern Star service will be held prior to the visitation at 4:45PM at the funeral home

Interment will follow services in the Hopeville Cemetery.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Linda’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 am, Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be directed to her family for a tribute to be decided later.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com