Linda K. Gilmore

Linda Kay (McCaulley) Gilmore, 72, of Norwalk, Iowa (formerly of Mason City, Iowa) passed peacefully on February 28, 2017, after a courageous and inspiring fight.

Linda was born in Mason City, Iowa, on December 28, 1944, to John Robert and Hazel McCaulley. She grew up on 25th Street next door to her cousins in a home built by her father and uncles. She attended Mason City schools, where she played volleyball and basketball, played in the band, and was the Drum Majorette from 1958-1960. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1963.

In 1963, she married Tim A. Gilmore in the Naval Chapel on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. She rose to the demands of a military wife during the Viet Nam War, where she lived in service to her country in California, Maryland, Alaska, and Virginia before returning to their beloved Iowa in December, 1971.

While raising her children, Linda worked as a dental assistant for 15 years. She later worked for Rockwell, International and Eaton Corporation. Linda completed her working years at Kraft Foods – Jello in Mason City, Iowa, with the D-Shift Team, where she made many dear friends. She happily retired in 2007, and began a new joyous chapter being a fulltime Grandma to her adored and very lucky 11 grandchildren.

Linda will be remembered by all who knew her as a loving, humble, optimistic, and fun lady. She felt at home in nature, and that is how she connected to God. Her flower and vegetable gardens were always thriving, no matter how harsh the Iowa season had been. Animals of every kind recognized her gentle spirit, but she was particularly fond of dogs, birds, and hens. Linda was also an adventurous traveler, camping all over the United States, hiking glaciers in Alaska, climbing the steps to the Parthenon in Greece, and walking the beaches of Hilton Head Island, SC, Newport, RI, and Cape Cod, MA. She was a diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers, the ISU Cyclones, and her grandkids’ many sports and musical activities. She had many talents, but none compare to her ability to connect with people and make them feel how truly special they were to her.

Linda leaves many to cherish and honor her memory. Her daughter Kelly Gilmore Dimitroglou, husband Dimitrios, and four kids Philip, Maria Linda, Irene, and Alexandros, all of East Longmeadow, MA. Her son, Eric Gilmore, wife Nicole, and four kids Ryan, Jared, Justin, and Lauren, of Mason City, IA. Her son, Neil Gilmore, wife Jennifer, and three kids Shae, Jane, and Charley, all of Norwalk, IA. She also leaves many cousins, nephews, and nieces, including two very special nieces Kim McCaulley-Byrne, and Karla McCaulley-Conlin. Additionally, she leaves three dear lifelong friends, with whom she has shared all of life’s experiences Lori (Austin) Woolery, Jacque (Victoria) Comstock, and Ruthann (Gardinier) Reimers. Waiting to welcome her to heaven were her parents, John Robert and Hazel McCaulley, brother Robert Dale McCaulley, and former husband Tim Gilmore.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Pastor Matthew Muters of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home.