Rusty Lindenman, 65 of Barnes City passed away Friday morning, September 25, 2026 at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Graveside Memorial Services will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Barnes City Cemetery in Barnes City. A Luncheon/Visitation will be held following the graveside from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the McVay Center in New Sharon with lunch being served at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Prairie Knolls Country Club. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.
Russell “Rusty” Edwin Lindenman, eldest son of Gilbert “Gene” Lindenman and Rosanne (Tinkle) Roorda, was born December 23, 1960, in Grinnell, Iowa. He began kindergarten at Barnes City School, and finished his schooling at North Mahaska, graduating with the class of 1979. After graduation he attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and was employed by the Barnes City Co-Op. In 1986 Rusty began his career at Amana Refrigeration, retiring in 2022 after 36 years (and 10 days!) of service.
In 1983 Rusty’s life changed in the best possible way when he bumped into Valerie Quillin at a Barnes City Fun Days dance. Their first date at Pagliai’s Pizza in Grinnell eventually led to their engagement. Rusty and Val were married on April 20, 1985. To this union two amazing children were born, Brooke and Aaron. Rusty loved being a dad, and tried his best to never miss any event his kids were participating in.
Rusty was generous with his time and took pride in serving North Mahaska communities. Over the years he held many volunteer positions including: Barnes City City Council, Barnes City Ruritan, Barnes City Volunteer Fire Department, and served as a Prairie Knolls Country Club board member. Of all the ways he volunteered, he was best known for – and most proud of – the 39 years he spent operating the scoreboard for North Mahaska’s varsity basketball teams.
A lifelong lover of sports, he excelled in baseball and fastpitch softball. His accomplishments on the field were honored throughout his life, beginning as a little league all-star, and concluding with an induction to the Central Iowa Men’s Fastpitch Hall of Fame in 2025. Rusty was known for base hits, playing the game the right way, and was affectionately called “The Hoover” for the way he scooped up ground balls at third base and shortstop. Though he loved being on the ball field, he was always happiest playing golf with Val. Rusty and Val spent many weekends and anniversaries playing in tournaments and finding new courses to try across the United States.
In his down time, Rusty enjoyed reading and watching Westerns, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved to make Chex party mix and homemade pizza for family gatherings. He could be found enjoying a butterscotch malt any time of year. Rusty hated bananas and tolerated the Cyclones for his son-in-law’s sake.
Over the years, Rusty was given many nicknames – RL2, Deuce, Russ, RL, The Hoover – but the ones that mattered most to him were son, brother, husband, and dad. He is survived by his wife Valerie, children Brooke (John) Recker, and Aaron Lindenman, mother Rosy Roorda, mother-in-law Mary Quillin, siblings Sheila (John) Stump, Tim (Cheryl) Lindenman, Andy Lindenman, Tricia (Mark) Thomason, sister-in-law Diana (Michael) O’Leary, and many nieces and nephews who will miss “tussling with Uncle Rusty.”
Rusty was preceded in death by his father Gilbert Lindenman, father-in-law Chuck Quillin, stepfather Virgil Roorda, and an unborn grandchild.
Rusty was family to some of us, a friend to many of us, and will be missed by all of us.
