Linda Sue Cassabaum was born on February 21st, 1941 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to parents Otto and Fern (Linsted) Pothoven. She grew up in New Sharon, Iowa, where she lived most of her life. From a young age, she loved animals, music, and all beautiful things in God's creation. She deeply loved her family and always looked to care for others.

Linda graduated in 1959 from North Mahaska High School, where she played 6-on-6 basketball as well as the flute and piccolo. She then attended Simpson College for one year before transferring to Iowa State University where she graduated with a degree in Childhood Development. Linda was always gentle on the outside, but moved through the world with great strength and purpose.

She met Gerry R Cassabaum in 1961 and quickly became the love of his life. The two were married June 1st, 1962 and blessed with three children. They continued to live and work in New Sharon for many years, raising their children and taking on a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Linda was a hard worker, and in her spare time served as a Cub Scout Leader and was an active member of the New Sharon United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and served as a Sunday school teacher. Linda was all around a very active member of her community, and was involved in countless other ventures.

Linda and Gerry moved to Des Moines in 1986 after their children had grown. They loved to travel together in their RV and watch Iowa State Basketball. Linda was an active member of the WDSM United Methodist Church and the MITS/WITS group. Her hospitality and cooking were unmatched, and she always had a treat to share with her grandchildren, whom she loved to bake and have tea parties with. She and Gerry loved to spend time outside and they kept a beautiful home. Linda also gave the best back rubs!

After Gerry's death, Linda continued to do what she loved best: spend time with her family, enjoy the outdoors, and relish in the beautiful things of the world. She loved to attend her grandchildren's many activities, from basketball to choir and everything in between. Linda loved to sing songs and hymns from her youth, take scenic walks and drives, and was always ready to laugh, even at her own expense. Her already deep appreciation for the beauty of the world and its inhabitants became the deepest well of love in her later years. Linda was known for noticing the simple and wonderful: A hummingbird at the window, an old song on the radio, a prairie sunset, a cold ice cream, a stranger holding the door. Her ability to notice the smallest joys brought light to all she touched. Linda lived her life with great kindness, even in her thirteen years with Alzheimer's Disease. She touched many with her sweetness and grace.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ann (Ray) Woods, and her sweetheart, Gerry. Linda was blessed in life by her three children, Brett (Amy) Cassabaum of Cedar Rapids, Steve (Michelle) Cassabaum of Nevada, and DeAnna (Mike) Fank of Boone, as well as ten wonderful grandchildren, Alyssa (David), Sara (Trevor), Matthew, Emma (Keegan), Elli (Daniel), Kati (Xavier), Heidi (Cavin), Scott, HolliAnna, and Luke, six beautiful great-grandchildren, Harlow, Amos, Ingrid, Beatrice, Sofia, and Juliet, and her dear friend Karen Sanburn, all of whom she loved very very much. Her love lives on in them.

Any monetary gifts will be used by the family to honor the memory of Linda's grandson, Scott Reynold Fank who passed away the day after Linda.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada.  A reception will follow at Gatherings (1024 6th Street) in Nevada at 3 p.m.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.