ANNA LINKEY
Anna Linkey, daughter of Joe and Josie (Prochaska) Skarda, was born September 4, 1916 at Bolivar, MO. The family moved to Iowa and she grew up in the Mount Ayr vicinity, graduating from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1933. Anna took teachers training in high school and taught country school for a few years.
On May 14, 1938, she married Leo Linkey in Grant City, MO and to this union, Janis and Jim, were born. They farmed in Ellston and Tingley and moved to the Diagonal area in 1951.
Anna worked at the Diagonal Progress several years and then worked 17 years at the Creston News Advertiser at a time when it wasn’t common for women to work full-time. Anna loved her family and was an incredible cook, using fresh ingredients from her garden whenever possible. She was an avid quilter, walked every day, and loved to read. She was a member of the United Church of Diagonal, Tuesday Club, and volunteered at the Diagonal Printing Museum for many years.
Anna passed away January 9, 2019 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Richard Taylor; brothers, Harry, Richard, and Elbert Skarda.
Survivors include her children Jim (Dixie) Linkey of Kansas City, MO and Janis Taylor of Diagonal, IA; grandchildren, Michael (Jean Ann) Taylor of Creston, William (Joni) Taylor of Creston, Scott (Niky) Taylor of Waukee, Todd (Jennifer) Taylor of Parkville, MO, Shawn (Nate) Persell of Liberty, MO, and Tami (Rusty) Burlington of Kansas City, MO; great grandchildren, Ryan (Janelle) Taylor of Waukee, Blair (Martina) Taylor of Sioux City, Colby Taylor of West Des Moines, Jenna Taylor of Creston, Matt, Katie, Kyle Taylor of Parkville, MO, Brittlyn and Duke Taylor of Waukee, T.J. and Anna Persell of Liberty, MO, Brock and Emily Burlington of Kansas City, MO; five great great grandchildren, Kayson, Tate, Cora, Landry, and Rhett Taylor; sister, Mayme Cohron of Atlantic, IA; sister-in-law, Peggy Skarda of Mount Ayr, several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA is in charge of the arrangements.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 14, 2019 at the United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal, IA.
Officiating was Rev Gwen Trullinger.
Pianist was Judy Newton.
Music was “Through Every Storm” on CD by Shawn Persell, “Amazing Grace” by congregational hymn and “On Eagles Wings” recessional song on CD.
Casketbearers were Michael Taylor, William Taylor, Scott Taylor, Todd Taylor, Shawn Persell and Tami Burlington.
Anna was laid to rest at the Diagonal Cemetery in Diagonal, IA.
Memorials are to the United Church of Diagonal and the Diagonal Printing Museum.
