Linda L. Petersma

October 12, 1946 - July 17, 2019

Linda Petersma, 72, of Oskaloosa died Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at her home in Oskaloosa. She was born October 12, 1946, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Harry George and R. Lucille Shilling. She attended school in Ottumwa and went on to earn her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Indian Hills. Following school, she worked in nursing homes and Clow. Last, she worked at Rolscreen (now Pella Corp.) in Pella, retiring from there in 1980, due to a medical event that left her unable to work. On March 15, 1974, she was united in marriage to Harold J. Petersma in Rockford, Illinois. On June 9, 2012, Harold died after 38 years of marriage. Linda’s church and her family were the center of her life. She was a very active member of the Ottumwa Baptist Temple in Ottumwa where she volunteered in the nursery and helped with Sunday School for many years. She looked forward to spending time with her family and took advantage of every opportunity to do so; she made it a point to attend as many activities that involved her family and she especially looked forward to helping and visiting with her mom. While both were able, she and Harold traveled all over the world. They spent many winters down south to avoid the cold of Iowa. Her family includes her five children, Larry (Lori) Petersma of Indianola, Angie (Jim) Bixler of Beacon, Cindy (Randy) Paris of Bloomfield, Robin Petersma of Oskaloosa, and Becky (Dennis) Baker-Bey of Jefferson City, Missouri; her mother, Lucille Maxwell of Oskaloosa; seventeen grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; three brothers, Tony (Maxine) Maxwell of Lincoln, California, Michael (Marlene) Maxwell of Oskaloosa, and Brian (Debbie) Maxwell of Kentland, Indiana; four sisters, Martha (Michael) Duff of Oskaloosa, Bonnie Harnden of Eddyville, Phyllis Mills of Kirksville, Missouri, and Caroline (Bob) Leebl of Hale, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father; and two brothers in law, Frank Mills and Chester Harnden. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 26, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Travis Decker officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday morning after 10 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Make a Wish.