Linda Papouchis, 78, of Ames, Iowa, died Thursday, March 12, at home, surrounded by family following a battle with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 610 15th St in Ames with Pastor Todd Jenks officiating.

A visitation for Linda Papouchis will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care at 414 Lincoln Way in Ames. Burial will take place at a later date at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.

Memorials can be directed to the American Parkinson's Disease Association or the Alzheimer's Association which includes studies into Lewy Bodies with Dementia.

Linda was born on June 15, 1947, in Mason City, the daughter of Alfred and Maureen (Hocraffer) Berding. She graduated from North Central High School and then graduated from nursing school as a Licensed Practical Nurse LPN, in 1966. Linda loved her job in nursing moving from Minneapolis to Wisconsin, and back to Iowa.

Linda moved to Ankeny, Iowa, in August of 1984 to begin her career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa. After retiring from many years of service at Wellmark BCBS, she took a part-time job at McFarland Clinic in Medical Records. She had to give up her job at McFarland when her Parkinson's Disease and Dementia made it too difficult to continue.

Linda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed fishing trips, reading, shopping trips, garage sale treasure hunting, cooking, and working outside in her lawn and garden.

Linda's family would like to give special thanks to all of the staff at the Mary Greely Medical Center Home Hospice Program. The staff were very informative, helpful, available, and helped the family in caring for and keeping Linda comfortable.

Linda is survived by George Papouchis, LTA; son, Jess and Stephanie Berding Wheat; grandchildren Carson Wheat, Collin Wheat; sister Patricia (Berding) Jackson, brother DuWayne Berding and his wife Lylanne; nieces and nephews Becky Jackson, Brian Jackson and special friend, Paula Patterson, Mike and Beth (Jackson) Weber, Lanny Newville, Randy Newville, Trent Newville, Bruce McGilvary, and Page McGilvary, great nieces and nephews, including Ryan Latuska, Matthew Latuska, Sophia Weber and many others. Linda is also survived by her furry child, Oreo, the cat.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Dick Jackson, and several aunts and uncles.