Linda Lou (Gilbert) Martin, age 70, of Prairie City, Iowa, passed away on August 20, 2025. Per Linda's wishes, she will be buried at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery in Adel, Iowa with her husband. A celebration of life will be held on August 30, 2025, at 4:00pm, at the Prairie City Community Building. Memorials in Linda's name may be made out to her daughter Judy Martin. All cards and memorials can be addressed to, "Attn: Linda Martin, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054."

The daughter of Oris and Mary Louise (Petterson) Gilbert, Linda was born on March 31, 1955. As a young girl her favorite passing time was riding her horse bare back and bare foot through the pasture as fast as her horse would take her. Linda became a mother at a young age, forced to grow up fast. She married her first husband and had her second and third children. She later was united in marriage to Ralph Ronald Martin. After marrying Ron, Linda became a new, free to be, women. She was gentle and gave the very best back scratches! Her kind, and very loving heart welcomed everyone into her home. A meal made for four people could be easily stretched into a meal for eight, depending on who stopped by for the night.

While in their prime Linda and Ron spent all their free time together. They would go out, play darts, shoot pool, and simply have a good time in each other's company. One of their favorite things to do was for both of them to call into work and spend a day fishing. After having a little too much fun, Linda was extremely proud of the fact that she was 23 years sober. She accepted any animal into her home like all the kids that came to her for a place to stay. Linda's latest adopted love was mama Kitty. As caring and kind as Linda was, she also had a hot head side and was a very stubborn woman. So stubborn, Linda refused to move to a healthier safer environment because Mama Kitty wasn't allowed.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Angie and husband Rex; daughter, Charm Gilbert and family; daughter, Mary and her children, Maurina her husband Scott and family, Ronni and family, Caitlynn and family, and Timmy and Eddie; another daughter, Judy and husband Chris and their children, Madison and family, Hayleigh, Joseclyn, Terrell, Holly, and Easton.

Preceding Linda in death include both of her parents; her husband, Ralph Ronald Martin; and a son, Benjamin Charles McElvogue Jr.