Linda C. Massmann

Orange City, Iowa

Linda C. Massmann, 85, of Orange City, formerly of Paullina, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Paullina with Rev. Donald Meyer, officiating.

Private family graveside service will be held at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina. 

Linda C. Massmann

Linda Corinne Massmann, 85, of Orange City, and formerly of Paullina passed away Monday, June 29, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Born January 4, 1941, in Orange City to Henry and Corneila (Stander) Van Klompenburg. Linda grew up with prairie skies overhead and music in her heart. She was baptized and a member of the First Reformed Church. After two years in country school, she moved to Orange City public schools and graduated with the class of 1958. Four years later, she earned her BA in education from Northwestern College, beginning a vocation that would shape countless young lives.

On June 15, 1962, Linda married the love of her life, Louis “Lou” Henry Reinhart Massmann. They started out in Sioux Falls, where Linda taught at Laura Wilder. When Lou was drafted, she taught at Sheldon-Archer and then followed him to Germany – an early chapter in a life of faithful companionship and adventure. After Lou’s discharge, they settled in Paullina. Linda taught there for two years before they welcomed two daughters, and once her girls were in school, she returned to the classroom at Zion St. John, retiring at 65.

Linda’s faith was steady and joy filled. She sang in the Zion Choir, served as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, played piano for services, and lent her hands and heart to many church organizations. Music was her language – whether harmonizing in the pews or filling her home with songs playing the piano.

She was active in Alpha Tau and P.E.O., and served with the Orange City Hospital Auxiliary, including as president. Service wasn’t a duty to Linda – it was simply how she loved her neighbors.

Family was her favorite place to be. She never missed a school event if she could help it, cheering on her daughters and later her grandchildren at concerts and games. Travel was another delight. She and Lou explored the United States and abroad. Closer to home, Lou and Linda made an annual fishing week at Otter Tail Lake in Minnesota – a tradition of quiet water, shared stories, and full stringers of perch. A visit to Amsterdam was especially dear to Linda, with a maiden name like Van Klompenburg, she said she must visit her native land.

At home, Linda coaxed beauty from soil and sun. She took special pride in the flowers in her front planter and on the patio, often ending the day on the back patio, taking in the color. After retiring, she found a second calling at the Paullina Library, where “going to work” mostly meant greeting friends, swapping book recommendations, and keeping community stitched together through conversation.

Those grateful to have loved her and left to cherish her memory include her daughters and their husbands, Julie (Dave) Reinders of Orange City and Jane (Chad) Weber of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Jordan Reinders (fiancé, Torianna Davenport) of Sioux City and Madison Weber of Sioux Falls; her brothers, Roger (Maxine) Van Klompenburg of Sioux City, and Stan (Pat) Van Klompenburg of Arlington Heights; her brother-in-law, Gerald Jongerius of Orange City; many nieces and nephews; her special friend, Wendell Gruhn, and many close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lou; her parents, Henry and Corneila Van Klompenburg; her parents-in-law, Reinhart and Irene Massmann; and her sister, Helen Jongerius.

Consider honoring Linda by singing a hymn with someone you love, reading to a child, or planting something bright where it can be seen from a favorite chair – small acts, done with heart, just the way she lived.

Linda has gone to her eternal home with God in Heaven. We will greatly miss her loving heart and bright beautiful smile.