Linda Lou Hoff was born October 24, 1947, to Orlin Harry and Margie Joyce (Robbins) Hummel.

Linda grew up in Newton, Iowa, until she was eight, and her family moved to Pella. She was a graduate of Pella High School. She married Chet Mathes in 1965, and they were blessed with two children: Brenda and Brian. She later married Clayton Hoff on November 21, 1980, in Tacoma, Washington. Together they moved to Stuttgart, Germany, San Francisco, and in 1992, they returned to Pella when Clay retired.

Linda was church secretary for First Baptist Church for a time and worked various clerical jobs in addition to being a homemaker.

One of Linda’s favorite things was baking and cooking. Every Thanksgiving, she made the best dressing and often made cookies for friends. She also enjoyed reading Danielle Steele books, going to casinos, country music and Wayne Newton. She will be remembered as the kindest, caring person who loved to make others laugh.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Clayton, her children: Brenda and Trent Brooks of Great Falls, Montana, and Brian and Michelle Mathes of Knoxville, Iowa; Clay’s children: Eric and Marie Hoff of Spicer, Minnesota, Sean and Erika Hoff of Olympia, Washington, and Heather Hoff of Olympia, Washington; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Diana Kroes and Mike Hummel both of Pella, half-siblings: Joni (Mike) Dunn of Mason City, Judi (the late David) Koncak of Dallas, Texas, and Sandi (the late Jim) Rodgers of Newton, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may  be given to the Church of the Open Bible.