Linda Dunwoody, 74, of Grinnell, died on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, surrounded by family at Newton Care Center.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to Tiger Packs (an initiative to combat hunger in the Grinnell-Newburg School District), and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Linda's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Linda was born the daughter of Glen Marion Dunwoody and Jeanetta (Zwank) Dunwoody in Oskaloosa, Iowa on March 5, 1950. She was raised in New Sharon, Iowa and she graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1968.

Linda was blessed with two daughters, Heather and Lacy. She resided in Grinnell and she was employed at General Telephone, Donaldson's, Best Western, Grinnell Graphix, and as a paraeducator at Grinnell High School. She loved helping children learn and achieve as a paraeducator. She provided them with meals as needed and genuinely cared for their well-being. She was very proud to receive the Claude and Dolly Ahrens Foundation award, "Leave It Better Than You Found It" in 2001 for making an impact on children's lives. She was an avid softball player and played in a league until she was 50 years old. Her enjoyments were taking photos, listening to music, rock hunting, and most of all, being with her family.

Linda is survived by her daughters, Heather (Dunwoody) Todavich of Grinnell and Lacy (Shawn) Fillmore of Grinnell; grandchildren, Zachary Todavich and Zachary Fillmore; and her brother, Randy Dunwoody of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents.