Linda Klaas

Linda Klaas, age 79, of Ankeny, formerly of Marshalltown, passed away in the peace and comfort of her home with family at her side on the morning of Thursday, February 29th, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with visitation occurring one-hour prior. She will be laid to rest in the Iowa State Veterans Cemetery at Adel on Thursday afternoon. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com.

Born on August 17th, 1944, in Creston, Iowa, she was the daughter of Chester Harland and Reta Lavada (Swope) Petty. The family resided southeast of Arispe, Iowa, on a farm. She received her education in Arispe until the school merged with East Union during her senior year. She graduated from East Union High School in 1962.

In August of that same year, she was united in marriage to Darrell “Ed” Long. Though they later divorced, they shared two wonderful children together- Yolanda and Brian. Linda was employed at Purolator Company in Creston and later Bunn-O-Matic. She enjoyed golf, bowling, family dinners, trips to Las Vegas, springtime and precious time with family and friends.

She was blessed with sending a note to James Klaas in Marshalltown - although he would say he was the one that was blessed -- about perhaps meeting.  The minute he saw her picture, he knew she was the one.  That night, they met for dinner at the Pier in Des Moines and the rest is history.  She worked alongside him in Marshalltown and two years in they set the date and were united in marriage on February 19th, 1991,at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshalltown by Fr. Ralph Simington.  Jim wasn't going to let the most beautiful girl in Marshall County go.  The couple lived in Marshalltown and enjoyed country living in their custom built home before moving to Ankeny.

Left to treasure her memory are Jim “Snappy”, her loving husband of 33 wonderful, good years; her daughter Yolanda (Tom) Shields of Des Moines and son Brian Long of Des Moines; five bonus daughters through Jim- Bonnie (Dana) Bilyeu, Gloria (Joe) Miller, Jamie Bland (Jay Hansen), Sheri (Jim) Woodbury, and Amie (Shannon) Gard; numerous grandchildren and many friends.

In death, she rejoined her parents and sister, Rosalie Aiken.