Linda Fink

Linda Reed Fink, of Iowa City, IA, passed away on November 14, 2021.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Linda, a remembrance service will be held Saturday December 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, where a gathering for friends and family will begin at 10:00 AM until the service begins, and will continue following the service at the church. Reverend Dr. Barrie Tritle will officiate.

Linda was born in Peoria IL, on March 29, 1941, the daughter of Frank Preston Reed and Lois Ire (Ayers) Reed. At the age of two, Linda and her family moved to Toledo, IA, where she grew up and graduated from Toledo High School in 1959.

In 1962, Linda received her Diploma in Nursing from Mount Mercy Nursing school. After graduation she started her career as a staff nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. After a short time in Des Moines, IA, she moved back to Iowa City in 1972, where she began her over 35-year career with the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

In 1978, Linda accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Department of Orthopedics and Dermatology Nursing Division including the old Children’s Hospital. In 1988, she was promoted to the position of Clinical Director for the Multispecialty Nursing Division. During this time, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with Distinction & Honors for Nursing, Gerontology and Aging Studies. In 1997, she received her Master’s Degree in Nursing, receiving both degrees from the University of Iowa.

In 1997 Linda stepped into the role as Associate Director of Nursing for the Medical-Surgical Nursing Division and served in this role until she retired in 2001. She was invited to return and continue as a Clinical Facilitator & Nurse Researcher for the Department of Orthopedics until 2016. She also served as an Adjunct Professor. During this time, she served on many professional associations including the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON), the American and Iowa Nurses Association, the Hawkeye Chapter of Orthopedic Nurses and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Linda was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was active on the Board of Little Angels Learning Center, Church Foundation and Finance Committees. She was active in the community and educational endeavors including the Community Crisis Service, Iowa City Free Lunch Program, Questers, and past president and lifetime member of Chapter E, P.E.O. International Sisterhood of Iowa City, IA.

Linda was united in marriage to Gary Lawrence Fink on June 29, 1963, in Toledo, IA. Her children are David Reed Fink of Chicago, IL, and Kristen McIntyre of North Liberty, IA and her grandchildren Madeline Fink, Maxwell Fink and Preston McIntyre. She is also survived by her sister Sharon (John) Shepard of Elcho, WI, brother Barry (Ruth) Reed of Marion, IA, and close nieces and nephews.

Linda’s passions were her children, grandchildren, sister and brother and her extended family. She treasured her amazing lifelong friends and enjoyed many weekly gatherings with her posse and crew.

Linda loved art, movies, football (Go Hawks!), music (especially Neil Diamond) and traveling. Linda’s favorite place was Marco Island, FL, where she spent many wonderful years with her husband and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Community Crisis Service and Food Bank or First United Methodist Church, Iowa City, IA.

You may share a memory of Linda or online condolences with her family at www.lensingfuneral.com