Blake, Linda Louise (Kimber) 1961 - 2025

BLAKE, KIMBER, LINNANE, MANNING, HENRIKSEN, THIELE, BLOXHAM, HUINKER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/14/2025 at 11:16:36

Linda Louise Blake, 63 of Elkader, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, following a brief stay at MercyOne Hospital.

Linda was born March 26, 1961, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of John Kimber Jr and Vivian Marie (Linnane) Kimber. Linda’s youth was spent in rural Decorah with six brothers and three sisters. Mike, Julie, Russ, Pat, Dave, Cathy, Mary, Jeff and Greg. She attended St. Benedict’s Catholic School and went on to the Decorah High School.

She met the love of her life, Mike Blake at a dance at Matters Ballroom near Decorah while still in high school. They married on August 16, 1980. They lived in Decorah for a while before moving to Waukon where Linda did daycare for nieces and nephews. With the money earned she would buy things for the children. Later Mike and Linda moved to the Blake family dairy farm near Dorchester, Iowa, where Linda helped with chores and loved her calves. Soon after they welcomed three children, Rebecca, Jesse, and Rachel. Linda was a stay-at-home mom and loved every minute of it. They later separated due to life circumstances but cared greatly and continually spoke fondly of each other the rest of their days.

Linda was very creative and in her early years loved to draw and put together photo books. She enjoyed her Pepsi and being outside. She spent a lot of her time visiting with family, friends, and staff during her stay at Scenic Acres where she lived. Birthday celebrations with good “Around the Garden” pizza from Mabes were her favorite. May we always remember her “Irish Eyes Smiling” even up to those last days she brought us so much happiness. In honor of her selfless life, Linda became a donor with the Iowa Donor Network and her family is beyond thankful she could continue to give to others in need.

Linda is survived by her Children: Rebecca (Matt) Manning of Lansing, Jesse Blake of Waukon, and Rachel (Daniel) Henriksen of Ridgeway. Grandchildren: Marcus, Theo, Graham and Allis Manning, Jameson and Oakley Blake, Cameron and Brody Thiele, and Alec Blake, Brothers and Sisters: Mike and Wendy Kimber of Waukon, Julie and Randy Bloxham of Waukon, Russell and Suzy Kimber of Owasso, Oklahoma, Pat and Vickie Kimber of Decorah, Dave and Maribeth Kimber of Decorah, Cathy and Roger Huinker of Ossian, Mary and Raymond Huinker of Decorah, Jeff Kimber of Decorah, and Greg Kimber of Castalia. Aunts, Uncles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents John Kimber Jr (4-26-2000), Vivian Marie (Linnane) Kimber (11-11-2014), and niece Heather Ann Kimber (12-10-2008).

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.

Prayer to Linda from her daughter, Rachel:

Heavenly Father, we ask you to open your loving hands to my mother, we trust your eternal mercy. May mom’s soul find peace and rest in your presence, bathed in the light of your love We thank you for the life mom lived and the memories she shared with us, and we pray for comfort and solace for those who grieve her passing. Please Lord open the gates of heaven to this loving mother, sister, and grandma. We thank you for your unconditional love and forgiveness over her. May she dance, smile, and laugh in the kingdom of heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database