Linda Edwards

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, our family announces the passing of our beloved Linda Lou (Waggoner) Edwards, who died peacefully on September 25, 2026, at the age of 86 in Crystal Lake, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family.

Linda was beautiful inside and out. Though tiny in stature, she possessed remarkable strength. She was graceful, kind, loving, quietly determined, and unforgettable. She loved deeply, cared generously, and left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Born March 9, 1940, in Evansville, Indiana, to Lorena (Tow) and Earl Waggoner, Linda developed a lifelong love of reading at an early age. She attended Evansville College, now the University of Evansville, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and became a Registered Nurse in 1962. It was also in Evansville that Linda met the love of her life, Jerry Wayne Edwards. Their courtship continued throughout her college years, despite the miles between them, and they married in July 1962. Together they built a life centered around family, friendship, love, and tradition.

After moving to Illinois and settling in Crystal Lake in 1975, she eventually brought her compassion and nursing expertise to the children and families of the community. She became Health Administrator for Crystal Lake Elementary District 47, where she served for many years before retiring in the early 2000s. Her career reflected the woman she was—caring, capable, dependable, and always willing to help.

Above all, Linda treasured her family. She and Jerry raised their daughters, Michelle and Kelly, in Crystal Lake. Becoming a grandmother to Cade and Reece also brought Linda tremendous joy, as did her many friends and extended family.

Overall, Linda loved family, friends, faith, flowers, and fun. She found happiness in her beautiful garden and delighted in the birds, squirrels, rabbits, and other visitors who shared it with her. A gifted artist, she painted first in oils and later in watercolor, creating pieces her family will treasure for generations. Her creativity and appreciation for beauty could be seen in her art, her garden, her home, and the way she lived her life.

Linda is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Edwards) Finch and her husband, David Finch, and Kelly (Edwards) Nierman and her husband, Jeff Nierman; her beloved grandchildren, Cade and Reece Carpenter; her step-grandchildren, George Finch and Emma (Freudenberger) Dunbar and her husband, Shane Dunbar; and many other family members, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and care.

Linda's legacy lives on in the family she loved, the people she cared for, the recipes that will continue to be made, the stories that will continue to be told, the artwork that will remain in our homes, and the memories that will be carried forward through generations.

Most of all, she leaves behind the love she gave so freely.

We will miss her tiny stature and enormous presence—her strength, kindness, laughter, art, garden, stories, and simply knowing she was there.

We will carry her with us always.

Services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the service immediately following at 11:00 a.m.