Memorial
Linda Lou (O’Brien) Shaffer, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Northbrook Care Center after a brief illness. At her request, there will be no services. The family asks that you tell a good joke and spread laughter in her honor.
Linda was born August 28, 1939, in Delhi, Iowa, the daughter of Dearld (Obie) O’Brien and Vivian (Sam Vesey) O’Brien. Linda always had a strong work ethic and worked since she was a teenager until her eighties. Linda’s most recent job was at Dillards, where her flair for style helped countless people find the perfect outfit. She had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh. She always had a story and whether it was true or not, it was always entertaining. Linda’s greatest enjoyment were the times she spent with her two grandsons and her three great grandchildren.
Linda is survived her daughters, Diane (Chris) Lehner of Cedar Rapids; Denise Brotherton of North Liberty; grandsons Nicholas and Kirk; great grandchildren, Silas, Madaline, and Eli; nephews Duane (Ginni) Ortberg and Douglas Mandel; niece Dana (Brad) Butschi; and several great nieces and nephews, including Kendall (Jay) McFarland, whose husband Jay made Linda laugh the hardest.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, sister Juanita Benishek, brothers Dennis O’Brien and Michael O’Brien; nephews Darold Ortberg, Duane Ortberg, Dean Ortberg, and David Ortberg-Mandel; and niece Shelley (O’Brien) Peterson.