White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

GILBERTVILLE - Linda K. Purdy, 79 years old, rural Gilbertville, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Cedar Valley Hospice House in Waterloo, Iowa, following a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, September 11, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville, with Rev. Douglas J. Loecke, celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Gilbertville.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville, where there will be a rosary said at 3:00 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Bosco School System, Gilbertville Fire Department, and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Jesup, Iowa, is caring for the family.

Linda Kay Schmit was born May 11, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of John Robert and Rosella Anna (Fischels) Schmit. She attended school in Gilbertville and graduated with the Don Bosco High School Class of 1965. On October 29, 1966, she was united in marriage to Nicholas Aloysius Purdy at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville.

Linda left a legacy of love for all who knew her. To know Linda, was to love this beautiful soul. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend that impacted every person she encountered with her genuine kindness.

Above all things, Linda cherished her family. Linda’s face always lit up when she talked about her children and grandchildren. She was the absolute heart of her loved ones. She cherished her friendships and loved spending time with them.

Linda was a woman of deep faith and a devoted Catholic; her devotion to God guided her throughout life and provided us all with a beautiful example of faith, love and grace, even on the hardest of days.

Linda was full of warmth and infectious energy and made everyone feel welcomed around her. She loved having fun and enjoyed family get togethers, playing games with the grandchildren, spending time with friends, traveling with friends and family, and she always enjoyed lively trips to the casino.

Linda was a hard worker her entire life and had various jobs over the years. She was a stay-at-home mother in the first years of Nicholas and Linda’s marriage; and when her children entered school, she started cleaning houses. Later she worked at the local Mini Mart, and finally, she ended her career at Hawkeye Community College as a secretary in the Registrar’s office for 19 years. Linda was also community minded. She volunteered at several organizations throughout her life, including the Befrienders Group, the Card Ladies greeting card recycling program, and her many years of service to the Don Bosco School System, including her time on the Immaculate Conception School Board and the Don Bosco School Board. Linda was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville where she was very active in the Rosary Society and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Linda is survived by the love of her life, Nicholas Purdy of Gilbertville, and shared 59 wonderful years together. She is also survived by her 4 children, Deann Purdy of Gilbertville, Kent (Michelle) Purdy of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brad (Kristi) Purdy of Cedar Falls, and Troy (Sheri) Purdy of Raymond, Iowa; 8 grandchildren Emma Purdy and Alex Purdy; Ben (Taylor) Purdy, Katie Purdy, Logan (Alyssa) Purdy, and Kaylee (Brandon) Bardal; Sydney (Kaleb) Bruggeman and Jack Purdy; 4 great grandchildren Charlee Sietsema, Jayce Sietsema, Hexley Purdy, and Skylar Bruggeman. She is also survived by two sisters, Patricia (Richard) Becker of Jesup, Iowa, Constance (Richard) Keegan of La Porte City, Iowa; 1 brother Kenneth Schmit of rural Gilbertville; and 1 sister-in-law, Linda Schmit of Jesup.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Larry Schmit; and one sister-in-law, Carolyn Schmit.

Though our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beloved Linda, we find comfort in knowing that her love will remain with us forever. The memories she created and the lessons she taught us will be carried in our hearts for generations to come. Until we meet again, we will cherish her memory, love her endlessly and be grateful for the blessing of having her in our lives. Fly like the butterflies, our beautiful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend.