Linda Christine Hartzell

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in The Runge Mortuary Chapel, Davenport. She will be laid to rest in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the mortuary. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Handicapped Development Center of Davenport or Camp Courageous of Monticello, Iowa. Linda was born in Davenport, Iowa on December 15, 1959, the daughter of Clark and Nancy (Powell) Hartzell. She lived at and received various types of services from special needs homes, including those of HDC from 1981 up until her passing.

During her entire lifetime, Linda was an inspiration to all. Despite her many challenges, Linda took on life with gusto and courage.

Linda believed it an important goal to remain as independent as possible. This included attaining her education and advocating on her own behalf to obtain an electric wheelchair when they first became available. She also learned how to use many apps on her cell phone in order to keep her mind active. Keeping busy was a priority for Linda. When there wasn’t work to do at the workshop where she was employed, she would read the newspaper to her peers and discuss current events.

In addition to education, Linda enjoyed her extracurricular activities. First off, joining family and friends at a Happy Joe's restaurant was a pleasure for Linda every chance she got. She shared a special friendship with Happy Joe Whitty and his family, as he cared so much for the special needs community. Visits to Northpark Mall, where she would meet up with many friends and shop vendors, were a highlight she looked forward to every weekend. She would book River Bend Transit to transport her to and from the mall, and they would delight in providing Linda this service. Her favorite mall of all, however, was the Mall of America, and we are sure she made many friends there as well. Every year, Linda also looked forward to a week at Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa. She would relish in taking on every sport she could, be it archery or canoeing or zip-lining or bowling. She simply would not let her physical disability limit her enjoyment of life.

Linda’s love for family and friends was evident to all who received her “check-in” calls and heard her squeals of delight when surprising her with a visit. Linda never forgot a birthday or an anniversary or the names of anyone she loved — a list that goes on forever — ending every interaction with the words, “I love you.”

Linda sparkled more brilliantly than the ballroom lights she loved to dance beneath. Our beautiful Linda lived with uncommon grace, never complaining, never disparaging, never allowing her situation to get in her way. She reminded us that each day is precious and that there is goodness in everyone. Linda will always remain an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Those left to honor Linda’s memory include her sisters, Susan (Charles) Storey of Elgin, Illinois, and Peggy Hartzell of Iowa City; her brother, Michael (Kathy Krafka) Hartzell of Navarre, Florida; her nieces and nephews, Polly, David (Connie) and Michael (Katie) Storey, and Connor and Kyle Hartzell; her great-nieces, Lorelei and Isabelle Storey; her great-nephews, Clark and Grant Storey; her uncle, Jim Hartzell, and many cousins. In addition, she leaves behind her extended family at the Handicapped Development Center who always provided excellent care for Linda.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Clark, on September 26, 2007, and by her mother, Nancy, on October 22, 2022.

To share a memory of Linda or send a condolence to her family please visit www.therungemortuary.com.