Linda K. Macumber

Linda K. Macumber, 78, of Davenport, died peacefully with her sons at her side on January 12th, after a short stay at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. January 19th at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. January 20th at Holy Family Catholic Church, Davenport, followed by Burial Service in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. A luncheon at Holy Family Catholic Church will follow the Burial.

Linda K. Rigg was born on August 15, 1947, in Beardstown, Illinois, the daughter of Clifton and Vera (Vollbracht) Rigg. When she was six weeks old, the family moved to Annawan, Illinois where Linda would grow up with her siblings Regina (Jeannie) and Roy’lyn (Ron) on the beloved family farm. Throughout her life Linda loved to share stories of her childhood on the farm, including using her dad’s tractor as transportation and helping with the chores.

As Linda grew up in Annawan she became increasingly involved in school clubs and activities, often holding a leadership role. She wrote and held positions for the school yearbook and became heavily involved in 4H and FHA, for which she competed in and was awarded trips to state level competitions.

Linda attended Southern Illinois University and earned an accounting degree in 1969. As she had among her Annawan peers, Linda made an impact on the college campus too by engaging with groups of friends and organizations. In photograph after photograph of those university days, Linda is surrounded by groups of women in the clubs she was active in, and celebrated by friends. Always surrounded by friends who love her was a true testament to her character and a trait she carried always. Linda was a member of the American Business Women’s Association and ultimately became president of the organization. Later in life, Linda continued to stay engaged in organizations that gave back to society, such as the Kiwanis Club and King’s Harvest Pet Rescue. Linda also helped others in multiple ways, including bringing in a friend of the boys’ who didn’t have a place to live and donating a burial plot to a family friend’s son and mother.

After college, Linda moved to Davenport and worked for many years at Crown Advertising. Her hard work ethic and wonderful demeanor earned her the loyalty of colleagues and bosses. There was a time during her career when she was jet-setting to and around Europe. Even in her final days Linda could recount attending the Flower Markets of Holland with the detail and excitement of someone who had just been there. She was exceptionally smart and forgot nothing, eventually working for the St. Ambrose University Bookstore and retiring as a Director in 2014.

In the late-1970’s, Linda met the love of her life, Duane “Terry” Macumber. Their work helped bring them together: Linda met Terry during his time in marketing at WHBF‑TV, while she was working at Crown Advertising. They married and had two sons, Ryan in May of 1979 and Timothy in April of 1985. Devastatingly, they lost Terry to pancreatic cancer when Tim was only six weeks old. Terry and Linda shared a hospital room so he could hold newborn Timothy while undergoing cancer treatment, and they were together for Timothy’s baptism at Holy Family shortly before he passed away.

Linda poured her life and devotion into raising her sons as a single, widowed mother and she never remarried. The amount of pure love and fierce loyalty for her boys is something they felt every day of their lives. They made their way through life as a small but mighty family of three - they were a team. Linda’s unconditional love and steadfastness was, and always will be, a source of strength for her boys. As she navigated raising the boys on her own, she ensured her boys spent meaningful time and remained close to both sides of the family. From weekend trips to Annawan to visit Grandma & Grandpa Rigg and Aunt Jeannie & Arden’s family, drives to DeWitt to visit Uncle Dan and Aunt Carol’s family, vacations out west to visit Ron’s family, gathering in ‘circles’ in the Macumber yards of Davenport (Grandma & Grandpa Macumber and Bob, Wilma, & Cousin Sue’s yards), and so many other family gatherings, Linda ensured bonds were forged and never rejected an opportunity for family to be together; she always, always made the time.

Terry’s dying wish was for Ryan and Tim to be raised Catholic. Linda fulfilled Terry’s wish by raising the boys Catholic at Holy Family Church and School (where Terry’s parents attended and three generations of Macumbers have gone to school) while simultaneously continuing to value her Methodist upbringing. For over 40 years Linda was devoted and active within Holy Family – so much so that other parishioners did not realize she was not officially Catholic! In her final days before being called home, Linda wished to fully align with her boys and was received into the Catholic Church in a joyful, spiritual, and tearful ceremony led by Father Nicholas of Holy Family. Ryan, Tim, and Cousin Melanie were by her side to share this deeply meaningful moment with her.

Linda cherished her family and friends, and the time she spent with them brought her the greatest joy. She was very proud of her sons and adored her grandchildren. However, she also enjoyed crafting and sold many of her creations at local craft shows. She loved her pets, and she enjoyed gardening. Linda could make breathtaking floral arrangements, which she did professionally for a few years. She went on trips to the beach and even a cruise with cousins. She was adored by many and also had a tight-knit group of friends (many of whom were mothers of Ryan and Tim’s friends) who closely supported the family while Ryan and Tim grew up and stayed by Linda’s side right up until she was called home by God; it was remarkable. She stayed active with these friends throughout the years and loved them very much.

Those left to honor Linda’s memory are her sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan (Becky) Macumber, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Tim (Jessica) Macumber, Davenport; grandchildren: Isaac, Audrey, Grayson, Carter, Owen, and Wyatt; a sister-in-law, Danna Rigg, and a brother-in-law, Arden Williams as well as a special cousin who was very dear to Linda, Melanie Pethtel.

In addition to her husband, Terry, Linda was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Regina Williams and Ron Rigg. May they rest in peace.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue (kingsharvestpetrescue.org) or National Scleroderma Foundation (scleroderma.org).

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com