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Lindsay Ann Taylor, 45, of Adel, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Dec. 6, 2024, at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines. Lindsay courageously battled a progressive neurological disorder for over a decade.
Lindsay was born on March 18, 1979, to Ray and Bev Courtney in Creston. Lindsay attended Creston Community Schools, where she was recognized as valedictorian and the most outstanding female athlete for the class of 1997. Lindsay was part of three school records for female track events, a remarkable achievement given athletes could only compete in three running events at the time. One of these records still stands today, 27 years later. Lindsay also excelled in basketball, earning all-conference honors. Today, she remains the all-time school leader in career assists (300), season assists (165) and single game assists (15). Additionally, Lindsay participated in cross country, softball, and National Honor Society, in addition to serving as co-editor of the senior yearbook with lifelong friend, Lori (Burkhalter) Bisgard.
Lindsay accepted a Division I scholarship from Drake University to run track while pursuing a Doctorate in Pharmacy degree. Although nagging injuries would eventually end her track career, she graduated cum laude, receiving a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree in May 2003. Later that same month, on May 31, 2003, Lindsay married her high school sweetheart, Mike Taylor, in Creston, at the same church where they had played Mary and Joseph in the 1996 Christmas Nativity play.
While on their honeymoon in June 2003, Lindsay spent every spare moment studying for the Iowa Board of Pharmacy exam, scheduled to be taken in July 2003. Passing this exam was important, as she was under a letter of intent to buy her first pharmacy in August 2003. As expected, Lindsay passed the board exam and never relinquished her pharmacy license for the rest of her life. Lindsay closed on that pharmacy acquisition as scheduled, embarking on a journey of entrepreneurship that both challenged and rewarded her immensely over the next two decades.
Lindsay was honored as the “Rocky Finnie Entrepreneur of the Year” by Medicap Pharmacies, Inc., making her the youngest recipient in the award’s history. This recognition was fitting, as in the eighth grade, she completed a “life goals” exercise in Loy Christensen’s class, proclaiming she wanted to “become a pharmacist and run her own pharmacy.” As this goal became further refined during high school, she wanted to call it “Lindsaycap” (instead of Medicap). After accomplishing her goal of becoming a pharmacist and having her own store, she eventually admitted “Lindsaycap” didn’t have the same marketing appeal as Medicap.
Although Lindsay was proud of her many achievements in life, nothing brought her more happiness than watching her three children grow up. She considered this her life’s greatest accomplishment.
Lindsay is survived by her loving husband of 21 years, Mike Taylor, and their three wonderful children, Payton (18), Sawyer (15) and Maddie (11); her parents, Ray and Bev Courtney of Adel; her maternal grandmother, Arlene Warner of Harlan; her brother, Tyler (Carrie) Courtney of Norwalk, her brothers-in law, Vince (Cindy) Taylor and Russ (Tracy) Taylor, both of Creston; her sister-in-law, Barb (Todd) Phillips of Mediapolis; nieces, nephews, countless cousins, aunts and uncles across the country and the loyal family labrador, Remi.
Lindsay is preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Terry and Sherry Taylor of Creston; her paternal grandparents, Swede and Esther Courtney of Bussey; her maternal grandfather, Darwin Warner of Harlan; aunt, Denise Wellensiek of Syracuse, Nebraska, and her beloved family labrador and “first child,” Lucky.
In keeping with Lindsay’s 27-year-old 4 x 100 school track record, Lindsay excelled both on the track and in life. Her race, though short and swift, was filled with purpose and passion. She lived fully and loved deeply. Lindsay has now handed the baton off, entrusting her husband and children to run the remaining legs of life’s race. She will be cheering them on from the stands, and one day, they will reunite at the finish line to celebrate a race well-run together.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, and funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at New Hope Church, 25712 Hwy 6, Adel. Pastor Gabe Parker, who both taught and coached Lindsay’s children at ADM Schools, will be the funeral service officiant.
In lieu of flowers, for those interested, donations in Lindsay’s honor may be directed to the ADM FFA Chapter, Adel Public Library, New Hope Church or the Unity Point Taylor Hospice House.
A special thank you is extended to Lindsay’s medical team: Dr. Lynn Rankin, Dr. Rebecca Lachenmaier and the incredible staff at Unity Point Taylor Hospice House.