Linn Alvin Hall

SIOUX CITY -- Linn Alvin Hall, 63, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at his home, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Matthew Miller officiating. Visitation with family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Linn was born in Sioux City on June 28, 1948, to Ruth and Alvin Hall. He spent most of his youth in Lawton, Iowa, and enjoyed friends, family and the warmth of a small community and rural upbringing. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1966 and went on to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Following Linn's graduation from USD in 1970, he completed officer's training and served in the United States Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles." He served his country in Vietnam as a first lieutenant. After he completed his military service he enjoyed some travel and continued his education, earning an MPA and MBA. During that time, two joys came into Linn's life, his sons Robert and Cylas. Linn believed in people and dedicated his career to that service. He became director of the Third Judicial District Department of Correctional Services in 1974, helping to launch Community Based Corrections in the state of Iowa. He served 37 years as director until his retirement in July of 2011. Linn married Tina Bodine on Aug. 8, 1981. Catherine and Christopher completed the family. Linn and Tina shared a joyful marriage together. He enjoyed taking care of his family, creating a warm and welcoming home and spending time with family and close friends. Linn had a great sense of humor and had a tremendous capacity for giving of himself to ease the path for others. He faced every challenge in his life head on, with no complaints. Linn was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, a Mason, and an Optimist. Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Tina, children, Robert J. Hall of Abilene, Texas, Cylas Hall and Tom of Sioux City, Catherine Hall and husband Colin Bernard of Omaha, Neb., and Christopher Hall of Sioux City; his siblings Julie Johndreau and husband Gehrig of Lawton, Iowa; his sister Anne Hall of Omaha; brother Lauren Hall and wife, Cyndy, of Alexandria, Va; and his grandchildren, Anton, Isaiah and Ezra Hall of Sioux Falls, S.D. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Alvin Hall. Memorials in his honor may be made to Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minn., or the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.