Erika Linsley

Erika Linsley

Cedar, Iowa –  Erika Linsley went home to heaven, surrounded by her loving family on July 8, 2011, while being cared for at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa at the age of 71 years old. She was born June 5, 1940, in Germany, the youngest daughter of Jean and Julia Hofmann. Erika grew up in post war Germany. She met Larry Linsley while working at the Officer’s Club at Monteith Barricks; they later married in Germany. They moved to the U.S. in 1963. Erika stayed home to raise their three children; she also helped Larry on their farm near Wright. Once her children were grown, she worked for several years for Nash Finch in Ottumwa as a cashier and later as a pharmacy technician. Family was most important in her life, especially her children and grandchildren, whom she shared her joy for life with. She loved going to her grandchildren’s sporting events, band performances and dance recitals.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband: Larry Linsley of Cedar; two daughters and their husbands: Roberta and Jack Weston of Des Moines and Elie and Jim Ford of Oskaloosa; a son and his wife: Stephen and Debrah Linsley of Knoxville; “Omi” also leaves her legacy of love to her 5 grandchildren: Taylor, Brent and Kyle Ford and Nash and Hanna Linsley; a step-grandson: Seth Reinholdt; also surviving are two sisters: Helga Schmidt and Gertrud Braun both of New Jersey, as well as two nephews, six nieces and their families.

Erika was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws: Howard and Enid Linsley; two sisters: Betty Zein and Wilma Hahner and a brother: Herbert Hofmann.

Funeral services for Erika Linsley will be Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at 2 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with the Reverend Dave Brown officiating. Burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery east of Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Monday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with the family present from 6 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Serenity House.

Source: Bates Funeral Chapel