Linda J. Heard (neé Kendrick)

April 23, 1948 - June 8, 2010

Linda Jane Kendrick was born April 23, 1948 in Villisca, Iowa, to Darwin Paul Kendrick and Gladys Irene (Vance) Kendrick. She died Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the age of 62, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Villisca following a courageous battle with cancer.

She grew up in Villisca and attended Villisca schools, graduating from Villisca High School in 1966. Linda kept in touch with her classmates and enjoyed the class of '66 "get togethers". She attended Clarinda Junior College for one year. She was united in marriage to Gayle Heard on February 10, 1968, at the Villisca Presbyterian Church. They were blessed with three daughters, Staci Leigh, Darci Lynn, and Misti Gayle.

Linda and Gayle owned and operated the Kendrick and Heard Plumbing and Heating business for forty years; she was the bookkeeper for the business. She was very active with the Villisca Chamber of Commerce, promoting Villisca, and was a booster of Villisca athletics. Linda always enjoyed watching her daughters' and grandkids' ballgames and activities.

Linda was a member of the Villisca Presbyterian Church and enjoyed being a member of the church bell choir. She was treasurer of the Presbyterian Women's organization for 32 years. Linda was also a member of PEO and the Villisca Yard and Garden Committee. She enjoyed her flower gardens and was especially proud of her prize Clematis. Quilting, crafting and painting were activities that Linda also enjoyed. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at wiener roasts, picnics, fishing, going on Sunday drives and just visiting. A special time for Linda was the morning time with her grandkids before school.

Preceding Linda in death were her parents; parents-in-law, Otto and Alice Heard; and sister-in-law, Janice Kendrick.

Left to cherish Linda’s memory are her husband of 42 years, Gayle Heard of Villisca; daughters, Staci Sunderman and husband Brad, Darci Poston and husband Jason, Misti Yates and husband Kyle, all of Villisca; grandchildren, Damon Sunderman, Danica Sunderman, Hunter Poston, Karsyn Poston, Delaney Yates, Taylor Yates and Anistyn Poston; brother, Darwin Gene Kendrick of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; brothers-in-law, Merrill and Janet Heard of Tabor, Iowa, and Leo and Phyllis Heard of St. Charles, Iowa; nieces, nephews; other relatives, and many special friends, including her classmate, Cheryl Marsh TenEyck.

Linda will be remembered for her loving concern for others and putting their needs first even in her times of struggle. She will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in many hearts.

Memorial services were held Friday, June 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Villisca with Pastor Gordon Scott officiating. Visitation with family was held Thursday; June10, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial was in the Villisca Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Villisca Yard and Garden Club or the Villisca Fire and Rescue or the Villisca Ambulance. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

This obituary was originally published in the Villisca Review.