Linda Kay Wheeler

Linda Kay Wheeler

Linda Wheeler
November 7, 1959 – April 26, 2024
Des Moines (Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 64

Linda Kay (Munsell) Wheeler, 64, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on April 26th, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Linda was born November 7th, 1959, to Herb and Betty Munsell.

Linda grew up in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she was active in swimming (even though her lips would turn blue), basketball (until she got mono), and softball. She enjoyed playing golf in her younger years and even won a tournament with her mom before “retiring” at an early age. Linda also kept busy in high school with the Art Club and Pep Club.

Linda always had fond memories and stories about the places she worked and the people she worked with. She worked at the local A & W (when it was a full-service restaurant) and Marv Smith Signs before moving to Des Moines to attend AIB. She received her associate degree as an administrative assistant and always mentioned how she was the last class to be trained on a manual typewriter. Linda put that degree to good use for a few years at General Growth and the Optometric Society. She also worked at La Petite Academy in the infant room, then as the assistant director, and finally as the director, so she had more time to spend with her children while they were there. That proved more time-consuming than she expected, so after another few years working there, she returned to work as an assistant at her family-run business. When her children were in high school, she started working as a pharmacy technician at Medicap Pharmacy. She didn’t think that would be where she would end up, but when her uncle mentioned needing some help at the pharmacy, she was ready for a new challenge—plus, her hours allowed her more time with her kids. After her uncle retired and sold his pharmacy, Linda moved to the Fleur Hy-Vee pharmacy, where she had been for the last ten years. Linda kept busy and was always willing to do whatever was needed, but she spent most of her day with the deliveries. Her coworkers would agree that no one had the system down quite like Linda. The work wasn’t always noteworthy, but she always had stories about her fun with her coworkers.

Linda was mother to Kelsey and Grant Wheeler. While many parents’ goals are to raise their kids and then step back, Linda always wanted her kids to be a big part of her life. Linda referred to her children as her best friends. She continued living with her daughter and talked to her son nearly daily to and from work.

Linda was one of the most caring people you could ever meet and always made time for family and friends for a chat on the phone or one of her infamous lunch/dinner dates. The impact she made on people’s lives was very evident by the number of people who reached out when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer to check in, share words of encouragement, or just tell her how much they loved her meant so much during her fight.

Linda had a lot of practice being a grandma over the years. She loved telling people about her grand pup Murphy and showing off his picture. She wouldn’t even think of missing a birthday or sporting event. If she was invited, you could guarantee she would be there. She was truly invested in the lives of her friends and family as well as their own families. She looked forward to seeing a new photo or hearing about a new milestone.

In May last year, she traveled with her family to her favorite vacation spot, Disney World. At the end of the trip, Linda found out that her lifelong dream of becoming a grandma herself was going to be a reality. She took every opportunity she had to hang out with her granddaughter. Even during her bad days, just the mention of Emmie would put a smile on her face and she eagerly awaited playing with baby toes.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Kelsey Wheeler; her son, Grant (& Stephanie) Wheeler; her granddaughter, Emerie; her sister, Vickie (& Randy) Wolfe; and her uncle, James Young.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Betty Munsell, and sister, Deb Holub.

Linda requested to be cremated, and a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 1-7 p.m. at the Agora Events Center at Sherwood Forest: 7692 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Iowa. Link to her memorial page is http://everloved.com/lifeof/linda-wheeler/.
In lieu of flowers, we would ask that donations be made to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport or your local animal shelter (programs she was passionate about).