Linda J. Gerdes

Linda J. Gerdes

Washington

Linda J. Gerdes, age 82, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, at the University of Iowa following a serious illness over the past two months.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa, with Pastor Jon Rees officiating. Interment will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Visitation took place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Memorials have been established for Faith Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent for Linda’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Linda was born on August 5, 1943, in Fairfield, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Florence (Anderson) Louth. She graduated from Birmingham High School in 1961 and attended Iowa Wesleyan College. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Illinois University. Linda married Donald Powell in July 1967 in the Quad Cities. Don preceded her in passing in 1982. On August 8, 1999, Linda was united in marriage to William Gerdes in Silvis, Illinois.

A resident of Washington since 2014, Linda previously lived in East Moline for 30 years and in Dubuque from 1999 to 2014. She spent her career working as an auditor for the IRS. Linda was a member of P.E.O. and Faith Baptist Church. She taught knitting classes at Lincoln Elementary School and, since COVID, had crocheted more than 130 afghans for others. Linda also volunteered at the Washington County Hospital gift shop and served as an Awana youth leader when her children were young. She enjoyed playing piano, playing games and cards, especially bridge, and was an avid genealogist.

Linda is survived by her husband, Bill Gerdes of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Erica (Grant) Venema of Geneseo, Illinois; stepdaughter, Lori (Barry) Hitchcock of Athens, Georgia; stepson, Randy (Sally) Powell of Akron, Ohio; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ruthie Louth of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; sister, Terri (Greg) Grover of De Soto, Iowa; brother, Wilson (Laurie) Louth of Dickson, Tennessee; and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Powell of Moline, Illinois; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Harold and Joella Gerdes; husband, Donald Powell, in 1982; son, David Powell; and stepson, Rob Gerdes.