Memorial
Linda S. East passed peacefully into eternal rest on September 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by her family at her home in Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life will be held on October 10th, 2026, at FaithLife Church, located at 8300 C Avenue NE, Marion, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 9:30AM. A memorial service honoring Linda’s life will begin at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held at the church following the memorial service.
A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the FaithLife Church website under the Watch Live tab starting at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Linda was born on April 18, 1949, in Jewell, Iowa, to Leslie and June Peterson. She graduated from South Hamilton High School in Jewell. She went on to graduate from Waldorf College in Forest City. Soon after, she moved to Cedar Rapids, where she began working in the lab department at St. Luke’s Hospital.
In Cedar Rapids, Linda reunited with an old high school friend, Danny East. Their friendship grew into a loving marriage. They united in marriage on March 27, 1971. Together, they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and faith and raised their two children, Stacy and Brad. Linda loved being a stay-at-home mom and was so proud of her children. She spent countless hours cheering them on at baseball games, tennis matches, and basketball games. She also volunteered at Bowman Woods Elementary School, where she enjoyed reading with children and sharing her love of books.
Linda loved the Marion and Cedar Rapids area and took delight in welcoming newcomers through her work with Welcome Wagon and Community Greetings. Working for years as a Marion Chamber Ambassador was another source of pride and joy for her. Volunteering was an important part of her life. She delivered meals with her grandchildren for the FLY program and devoted much of her time to many committees and boards. Friendship was one of Linda’s great treasures. She had a wide circle of wonderful friends, and her calendar was always full of lunches and outings with them.
The holidays were so dear to Linda, especially Christmas. She thoughtfully decorated her tree with ornaments that held special memories and brought that same care to every corner of her home. She never missed a trick-or-treater on Halloween and took great joy in carefully hiding Easter eggs for her grandchildren to find. Her family always looked forward to holiday meals, especially her ham balls, kringla, and party potatoes. She perfected her Christmas cookies and enjoyed having her grandchildren help her with the finishing touches. Gatherings around her table are among the memories her family will hold closest.
Nothing filled Linda’s heart quite like being “Grandma Linda/Mimi” to Alexis, Alyssa, Ellie, and Parker. She was their biggest cheerleader and rarely missed a school performance or a ballgame. She was happiest playing games at her kitchen table with her children and grandchildren, and she treasured their time together.
In quieter moments, Linda loved a good puzzle or a great book. She was also a huge fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Indiana Fever. She planned her days around their games and enjoyed exchanging texts with friends while she watched.
Linda was grounded in her Lutheran faith. She was a member of FaithLife Church and always enjoyed visiting over coffee with her church group after the service. One of her favorite Bible verses was, “This is the day the Lord made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” After Danny died in 2000, she continued to find good in each day. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now reunited in heaven with her soulmate, Danny East.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Stacy East of Phoenix; her son, Brad East (Courtney) of Marion; and her cherished grandchildren, Alexis Bowdish of Chicago, Illinois, Alyssa Bowdish of Tempe, Arizona, and Ellie and Parker East of Marion, Iowa. She is also survived by her sister, Lori Peterson; her sisters-in-law, Donna Weigel (Hugh) and Diana Patterson (Rod); her brother-in-law, Daryl East; and many beloved extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny East; her parents, June and Leslie Peterson; her father and mother-in-law, Bill and Fran East; and her brother-in-law, Charles Buck.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Linda’s honor to FaithLife Church.
Linda’s kindness and warm, welcoming spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.