Linda Katherine Thorson-Conley, 78, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away on June 2, 2026, under the loving care of UnityPoint Hospice.

She was born on November 25, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Leonard Schneider and Katherine Raine. A devoted member of the community she called home her entire life, Linda graduated from East Waterloo High School in 1966.

Linda married her high school sweetheart, and together they raised two children, Dr. Angela (Thorson) Fitch of Boston, Massachusetts, and Travis Thorson of Urbana, Iowa. Following the end of her first marriage, she attended Hawkeye Tech, where she met her dear lifelong friend Amy (Van Dorn) Hinse. The two shared countless travel adventures over the years - and it was Amy who was at her side the night Linda met the love of her life, Richard Conley. Linda and Richard married, and he brought two more children into her heart: Eric Conley of Waterloo and Misty (Thomas) Hancock of Arkansas.

Linda built a career spanning more than 30 years in banking and insurance, retiring from the Sinnott Agency.

Married for over 40 years, Linda and Richard shared a deep love of their Irish heritage and a spirit of adventure that took them metal detecting across Iowa's state parks, lakes, and cornfields. Linda was a proud member of the Black Hawk Button Club, where she delighted in collecting buttons and creating button crafts to give to others. Above all, she treasured the natural world - especially the monarch butterflies she photographed in the extensive flower garden she lovingly curated at her home on Reed Street, the very house where she had grown up.

The next time you see a monarch butterfly, remember Linda - and the laughter, joy, and creativity she brought to this world.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Katherine, her brother, Terry Schneider and her niece Kimberly (Schneider) Gibson.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Conley; her children, Angela (Edward Fitch), Travis (Becky Howland), Eric, and Misty (Thomas Hancock); her nephews, Chuck Tomson of Cedar Falls, Dan Tomson of Indianapolis, and Randy Schneider of Ankeny; and her three beloved grandchildren, Edward Philip Fitch, Jackson Thorson, and Samuel Thorson.

A graveside service and burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Fairview Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa. A celebration of life will follow from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday June 7th at the Bridges Senior Living Community Room, 214 Washington Street, Waterloo, Iowa.

Please join us in celebrating the life of this wonderful friend, mother, aunt, and gift to this world and the next. Donations can be made to UnityPoint Hospice or The Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org).