Linda Kay Estes, 65, of Northwood died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, at Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church, 1000 First Ave. N. in Northwood, with the Rev. Shirley Hoffmann Will officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S. in Northwood. Visitation will also be one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church.

Linda Kay Estes was born June 24, 1949, in Mason City, the daughter of Drexell and Bernice (Low) Estes. Linda received her education at Northwood-Kensett Community School, graduating in 1967. Linda also graduated from N.I.A.C.C. with an Associate of Arts degree in Mason City and graduated from Mankato State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1971. Linda was very devoted to her teaching profession, which began at Mabel-Canton in the fall of 1971 until 1977 — when she moved to Brooklyn, Iowa, teaching business at BGM High School. She retired in 2011 after 40 years in the teaching profession.

Linda was one of the most giving individuals. Quietly and behind the scenes, she did so much — especially for students — but also for fellow teachers. Linda ordered and paid for the first retirement wooden apples for teachers, and every year she bought welcome gifts to put on their desks the first day of school for every new junior and senior high teacher. She also wrote countless recommendations for students. After her retirement she moved back to Northwood to take care of her mother. After returning to Northwood, Linda worked for Northwood Anchor Publishing Company.

Linda was a member of PEO and DAR.

Linda enjoyed genealogy, working on her computer, crocheting and taking pictures, but her great love and enjoyment was spending time with her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and with her family and friends.

Linda had a very strong faith; she truly loved her church at Grace United Methodist Church in Brooklyn and Northwood United Methodist Church, where she was a member of Seekers Bible study group.

Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, Bernice “Sis” Estes, of Northwood; her brother, Gary Estes, of Clear Lake; her sister, Connie (Andrew) Buss, of Omaha; her nieces and nephews Wesley (Melissa) Estes of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Megan (Marlon) Bailey of Spring, Texas, and Allison Estes of South St. Paul; grandnieces and nephews Rylie, Haylie and Sydney Estes, Caleb Schlote, Elijah Latusik and Maxwell Bailey; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Drexell Estes, who died Sept. 24, 2008.