Linda M. (Watkins) Thompson

Linda M. (Watkins) Thompson, 84, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, July 12, 2026, after a battle with diabetes and dementia. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A graveside service will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Linda was born on May 13, 1942, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Ethel (Schnell) Watkins. She graduated from Prairie High School with the Class of 1960. On July 8, 1967, she was united in marriage to John "Doug" Thompson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Following high school, Linda worked for Prudential Insurance. After she and Doug started their family, she devoted herself to being a homemaker while also providing daycare for more than 20 years. Linda was grateful for the opportunity to care for so many children and treasured the relationships she built with their wonderful families. Later, she worked part-time at the downtown Osco Drug and remained with the company through its transition to CVS Pharmacy, where she worked at the Mt. Vernon Road location. Linda enjoyed planting flowers around her home, traveling, baking cookies and brownies, listening to country music, satisfying her sweet tooth, and spending time with her beloved great-grandpaws. Above all, she cherished caring for her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Julie (Steve) Hollan, Brian (Alexandra) Thompson, and Jeff Thompson; her four grandchildren, Ryan Thompson, Larissa Thompson, Brody Hollan (Morgan Pence), and Dalton Hollan; her former daughter-in-law, Gloria Thompson; her sister-in-law, Connie Watkins; and her favorite cousin, Lenille Church.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Doug Thompson; her parents, Lawrence and Ethel Watkins; her brother, Larry Watkins; her in-laws, John and Ruth Thompson; her sister-in-law, Joni Thompson; and her brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, who will designate them to the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.