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Linda French, 77, of Alta was called into the loving arms of Jesus on Jan. 9, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Aurelia, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Funeral services will take place Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/ or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Linda Janelle McGowan French was born on Sept. 25, 1948, in Alta, the daughter of Merlin and Delores (Henriksen) McGowan. She graduated from Alta High School in May 1966, where she was especially proud to serve as a majorette in the Alta Marching Band. On Oct. 22, 1966, she married the love of her life, Thomas French, in Waynesville, Mo. Together, they were blessed with three children: Jerry, Michelle, and Jill.
Linda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. In her younger years, she was a stay-at-home mom, served as a Deacon at the Presbyterian Church in Alta, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, participated in Bible study and worked as a youth counselor. Once her children were school-aged, Linda became a cook at Alta High School, where she took great joy in serving what she considered a labor of love to the students.
She loved bowling and golfing in multiple leagues, boating with family, listening to music, snowmobiling, playing cards, shopping and cooking for family and friends. Linda faithfully attended countless sporting events for her children and grandchildren over the years. After retirement, she also enjoyed spending several winters in Tucson, Ariz. Above all else, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren. Linda lived her life loving deeply, laughing often, always smiling and caring selflessly for her family.
She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Thomas French, of Alta; her children: Jerry (Shawn) French of Johns Creek, Ga.; Michelle (Todd) Mackey of Ankeny; and Jill (Brian) Jackson of Alta; brother Bruce (Deanna) McGowan of Alta, sister Julie (Paul) Movall of Rochester, Minn.; and her beloved grandchildren: Austin, Davis and Carter French of Atlanta, Ga.; Taylor French of San Francisco, Calif.; Mackenzie and Carson Mackey of Ankeny; and Brooke, Braden and Brittany Jackson of Alta. She is also survived by extended family, many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Merlin and Delores McGowan; parents-in-law, George and Harriett French; and grandparents: Peter and Opal (Lauridsen) Henriksen, and Urany and Elizabeth (Gerjets) McGowan.
