Linda Joan Blanchard

August 2, 1957 - February 4, 2021

Linda Joan Blanchard, 63, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, died Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Unity Point Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born August 2, 1957, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Dale and Joan Ball Klauss. While growing up the family moved to several states for her dad’s work. In 1965, they settled in Des Moines. Linda attended Franklin Junior High and graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Des Moines in 1975. Following high school graduation, she worked in the advertising field and as a model for a modeling agency. She found she enjoyed working in sales and during her sales career, she worked for a school fundraiser company and an audio/visual equipment company. Then she worked as a sales rep for Nordic Premiums, now known as American Recognition, a division of Gunderson Jewelry for 29 years. Her customers became some of her best friends. On September 5, 1987, she was united in marriage to Rod Blanchard at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. She was an active member of Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Linda was the kindest soul, so caring, full of love, energy, and life. She lived a life of optimism and positivity. She would do anything to put a smile on someone's face, even if it meant making a fool out of herself. Linda loved getting together with friends, having a glass of wine, and laughing into the night. Linda enjoyed spending time at their camper and boating on Rathbun Lake. Linda loved to travel; she belonged to church groups, book clubs; and the YMCA. She loved living a healthy lifestyle and working out. She never missed a sporting event when her kids were participating. She loved biking on her new bike. Decorating her home was her excuse to shop. Her biggest passion was her family. She adored her husband, Rod, and her children, Austin and Keely, were the lights of her life and greatest joy. Her family includes her husband Rod Blanchard of Oskaloosa, their children, Austin (Jessica) Blanchard of Ottumwa and Keely (Bradley) Ver Steegh of Eddyville; her sister, Sherry (Chris) Paul of Des Moines; brothers- and sisters-in- law, Marcia (Jerry) McGill, Cherie (Les) Lunden, Ginny (Pat) Connors, Julie (Lee) Pascoe, Roche (Ilene) Blanchard, Barb (Dwayne) Ice, Joel (Dar) Blanchard, Greg (Diane) Blanchard, Tracy (Steve) Lardinois, and MaryAnn Blanchard; and many nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her parents; three stepsons, Christopher, Brent, and Darin Blanchard; a sister-in-law, Lisa Blanchard; and a brother-in-law, Lee Blanchard. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., followed by funeral services at 7:00 p.m. at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. A private burial service will be held at a later date. The family is concerned about your safety and health, so there will be a live-stream of the service at 7:00 p.m. on the Bates Funeral Chapel’s YouTube Page if you are unable to attend (Please click on the Photos and Videos Tab to see the Link for the Live Stream). For all those who do attend, we want you to be as safe as possible, so we ask that you wear a mask, enter in through the west side church door and social distance to the best of your ability. A celebration of Linda's life will be held later this summer, date TBD, when it is safer to gather. Memorials can be sent to the Blanchard family for the new Mahaska County YMCA or for Linda’s Memorial Garden.