Linda D. Kubu, 17 April 1948 - 20 Sept 2018

KUBU, SEBETKA, PLEHAL, MERTENS, TESLOW, CLAEYS, KING, WILKINS, DENEVE, YARDLEY, LAROSSA

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/16/2018 at 10:07:32

Linda D. (Sebetka) Kubu of Brooklyn, formerly of Victor, peacefully passed on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County after a courageous fight with Multiple Myeloma.

Linda was born April 17, 1948 to Wesley and Gladys (Plehal) Sebetka in Tama Iowa. After her 1966 graduation from South Tama County Community High School, she was united in marriage to James (Jim) F. Kubu on January 7, 1967.

Linda and Jim lived in Victor where they raised their three daughters and were members of the St Bridget’s Catholic Church. Linda participated in numerous social, community and church activities. Linda enjoyed belonging to groups such as St. Bridget Alter & Rosary Society, as well as The Red Hat Society – Scarlett O’Hattas. She was always generous with her time, boundless energy and amazing cooking skills, for many events and celebrations.

Linda focused on her home and family at all times, always making them a priority. Anything her daughters or husband needed, Linda could accomplish. She broadened this philosophy and welcomed so many people into her life graciously. Because of Linda’s strength and support Jim was able to start Victor Plastics, Inc. Linda went from clipping flashing off parts, by the box load at home, to running the company after Jim’s death.

Linda’s joy as a mother and grandmother was never more evident than when she was with her family. She insisted on knowing about and attending every type of game, recital, concert, or event possible. Heaven forbid someone did not tell her about something the grandchildren were doing! She always had everyone’s special day in her heart and on her mind. Her smile and arms were open to all and once you were in Linda’s heart, there you stayed. It was instinct for Linda to be that grandma for everyone she loved.
A major expression of Linda’s love for her friends and family came through her incredible cooking and baking skills. So many knew of her talents in the kitchen when she shared her treats. Recipes are a part of her legacy. Holidays were extra special, never missing an opportunity for a family get together. Thanksgivings were memorable, a house filled with the aroma of kolaches baked in the wee hours of the morning and a corn casserole only she could make properly. Linda could turn a shore lunch of walleye, cooked over a fire in Canada, into a feast! Everyone knows she was always trying to feed you, “just try a bite.” She was right, it was always great.

Linda had a passion for life, doing things in the most energetic and thorough way possible. She enjoyed all sorts of outdoor activities with Jim including turkey hunting, sharp shooting, mushroom hunting, camping, traveling, fishing trips to Canada, biking, ice fishing and cross-country skiing, to name a few. She enjoyed several vacations later in life with dear friends. Cruises, family tropical beach vacations and even a trip to Ireland, kissing the Blarney Stone. Linda was open to trying just about anything! And a very good sport about most of the escapades, like a sinking cruise ship off of the Greek islands! Even during cancer treatments, she kept up her trips to the casino, numerous games with the grandchildren and friends, stops for ice cream after a shopping run, outings, several vacations and winters in Arizona with her special friend David. Life was always an adventure for Linda.

Linda is survived by her daughters Crystal Kubu, Sherry (Rob) Mertens and Jennifer (Wade) Teslow, her special friend David Claeys and family Joani (Doug) King, Jamie (Wendy) Claeys and Janna (Matt) Wilkins. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brett (Jordan) DeNeve, Dallas DeNeve, Keegan Mertens, Jaelyn Mertens, Logan Teslow, Tierani Teslow, Brynley Teslow and Ryker Teslow and a great grandson Greyson DeNeve. Also grandchildren Alyssa King, Brianna (Jacob) King, Kaleb King, Trent (Samantha) Claeys, Kaela (Marcelino) Claeys, Corey Yardley (deceased), Cullen
Yardley, Landyn Wilkins, and Graycelyn Wilkins. Other survivors include brothers, Wesley (Jeanie) Sebetka, Steve (Carol) Sebetka, brother-in-law Bob LaRossa, and sister-in-law Cindy (Joel) Kubu.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Gladys Sebetka, sisters Judy LaRossa and Jennifer Sebetka, and her husband Jim Kubu.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor with Fr. Steve Witt presiding. A private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Victor.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Bridget Catholic Church and her family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County or to Iowa City Hospice, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Linda’s family online at www.smithfh.com .

Linda’s family would like to thank the amazing team of doctors and staff at University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. On October 17, 2016, Linda celebrated a successful bone marrow transplant and remained cancer free for 1 year, 10 months. We would also like to thank all the friends and family who helped and supported Linda over the years as she courageously fought her Multiple Myeloma cancer battle.

Special thanks to The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County and affiliated Hospice and Helping Hands entities where the excellent staff cared for her through her end of life journey.

Smith Funeral Home
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