Obituary – Linda Winkler
Linda Louise (Barber) Winkler of Mount Ayr, Iowa, age 71, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on November 6, 2026.
Linda was a genuinely loving person. She cared deeply for her family, her friends, her church, and all the people whose lives she touched. Those of us who were fortunate to be loved by her know that her love was not simply something she spoke of it was something we experienced every day in the countless ways she showed up for us. Whether through a home-cooked meal, a thoughtful gesture, or simply being there when someone needed her, Linda made the people around her feel cared for and loved.
Born on February 3, 1955, to William Edward and Louise (Dunsdon) Barber, Linda grew up on the family farm in Mills County, Iowa, alongside her brothers. Faith, family, and service were woven into her life from an early age. These were more than values she believed in; they defined the way she lived, the way she cared for others, and the legacy she shared with those she loved.
Linda was an accomplished student. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, with degrees in biology and chemistry. This was followed by the completion of her professional education in physical therapy at the University of Iowa. She started her career as a pediatric physical therapist at the University of Iowa, caring for children with varying degrees of disability. After moving to Mount Ayr, Iowa with her husband, Gordon, in 1986, she devoted the remainder of her professional life to caring for patients at Ringgold County Hospital. Her work was another expression of compassion and genuine concern for others that characterized her life. She was active in her profession, including involvement with the American Physical Therapy Association and served as treasurer of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association.
married Gordon Winkler on May 24, 1980, and together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, love, and service. Gordon and Linda’s daughters, Melissa and Heidi, sons-in-law, Aaron and Stephen, and later their four grandchildren, Joshua, Jillian, Karaline, and Matthew were among Linda’s greatest joys. She loved being a grandmother. She delighted in attending their sporting events, performances, and activities, and there was little that made her happier than spending time with her grandchildren, encouraging them, and celebrating the people they are becoming. Her steady presence in their lives was one of the many ways she carried forward the love she had known growing up in the Barber family.
Linda’s faith in Jesus Christ was a guiding presence throughout her life. She and Gordon were devoted members of the Mount Ayr Restoration Branch, where Gordon serves as an elder. Linda cherished her church family and gave generously of her time and talents. Over the years, she taught children’s Sunday school, helped create meaningful worship settings, and served in a variety of roles supporting the life of the congregation. Her faith was expressed not only in worship, but in the kindness, hospitality, and care she extended to others
Linda loved tending her flower and vegetable gardens, and she was a wonderful cook. She was especially known for her sour cream sugar cookies and the plates of Christmas cookies and homemade candy she lovingly prepared and shared year after year. Those familiar holiday treats became a cherished tradition, another way Linda brought warmth and joy into the lives of family and friends.
Thanksgiving held a particularly special place in Linda’s heart. For many years, she organized the Barber family Thanksgiving gathering, originally held at the family farm until the growing family needed a larger space. As generations changed and the family grew, Linda helped keep everyone connected through this treasured tradition. She also began incorporating an annual family service project into the celebration, encouraging everyone to share their blessings with people in need. It was a beautiful reflection of Linda herself: bringing family together, remembering what mattered, and turning gratitude into acts of kindness.
Linda valued her friendships as deeply as she valued the traditions that brought people together. For many years, she shared almost daily walks with a dear friend, a simple and enduring ritual of companionship. She also gave her time to the Mount Ayr community through organizations including P.E.O., Girl Scouts, and the Mount Ayr Athletic Booster Club. Whether through longstanding friendships, community service, or quiet acts of kindness, Linda made time for the people she loved.
There was something special about the way Linda lived her faith, loved her family, and served others. These were never separate parts of her life. They came together in the ordinary moments: a meal prepared, a grandchild’s game attended, a walk with a friend, a family gathering thoughtfully organized, or a helping hand offered when it was needed most.
Linda’s life reminds us that love is found not only in life’s great occasions, but in the countless small acts of care and faithfulness that fill the days between them. The traditions she created, the relationships she nurtured, and the love she so freely gave will continue to shape the lives of those who knew her.
Linda is survived by her husband, Gordon Winkler; her daughters, Melissa (Aaron Ballantyne) and Heidi (Stephen Bader); her four grandchildren, Joshua, Jillian, Karaline, and Matthew; her brothers, Randall (Mary), Keith (Kathy Jo), and Bruce (Barb) Barber; and many other beloved family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Louise Barber; her brother, David Allen Barber, who died in infancy; and her grandparents.
Visitation will be held at Armstrong Funeral Home on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the family present Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be held at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
Memorial checks in Linda’s memory should be made out to: Omaha Community Foundation with its memo designated to: William E. and Louise Barber Endowed Scholarship Fund, 1621. Checks can be left at the funeral home, sent to the family or mailed directly to: Omaha Community Foundation, 1120 S. 101st Street, Suite 320, Omaha, NE 68124.
