Linda Kay Plake Sparlin

Linda Kay Plake Sparlin

1940-2024

Linda Kay Plake Sparlin made a graceful exit from this world on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with Don by her side. The third child of Franklin Truman Plake and Nancy Alma Fisher Plake, Linda was born on November 30, 1940, in Tulsa, OK, and grew up in Prairie Village, KS, where she graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1958. One evening in her first year at the University of Kansas, Linda was approached by a handsome, grinning upperclassman in the Student Union Hawk's Nest. Don Merle Sparlin turned on the charm and convinced that smart redhead in the pencil skirt that he was the guy for her. Their romance was lifelong. They celebrated 65 years of marriage on May 29, 2024.

Linda and Don moved to Evanston, IL, and Cleveland, OH, as Don pursued his PhD and early career. Linda devoted her energy to raising daughters Meg and Jennifer, while also working as a medical transcriptionist and singing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Robert Shaw Chorale & Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Linda and Don settled in Rolla, MO, in 1968, pleased that this small college town community provided such a warm atmosphere for raising their girls. They added twin daughters Nancy and Jessica to the family just a few years later.

Over their 55 years in Rolla, Linda and Don gave themselves to their community in beautiful ways. In the 1970s, Linda and Don helped begin the first recycling program and the first community theater in Rolla. Linda was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for many years and taught her scouts how to build a fire, steer a canoe, set up a campsite, and sing together while doing all of it. Linda stayed up till the wee hours more than a few times, making fantastic prom and wedding dresses through the late 70s and 80s. Don and Linda embraced Physics Department friends, square dancing friends and many others, remaining close for decades. Saturday nights were filled with frilly petticoats and bolo ties as Linda and Don laughed all evening with the Duck 'n' Dive crowd. Physics picnics became Physics Retiree lunches, lasting until the 2020s when health issues interfered. Linda's memories of these happy times remained vivid and cherished, however long it had been since she was last with you.

Linda shared her love of the arts with everyone, deeply investing in her own development as an artist and in the music-making of others. She taught private voice lessons and coached students for music competitions, inspiring many young musicians to pursue their own lifelong creativity. She performed as a lyric soprano soloist both in Rolla and regionally, and she supported every concert and production she could possibly attend. She studied with prominent teachers and coaches in St. Louis and was invited to perform at the Baden bei Wien: Franz-Schubert-Institut in Austria in 1980. Linda often worked behind the scenes with chorus and theater programs in the Rolla community and schools; and she heartily supported the formation of Rolla's first professional theater, Ozark Actors' Theatre.

Linda and Don were fortunate to live near their eldest daughter and her family, enjoying the company of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and longtime Rolla friends through the 2000s. Linda recovered from heart surgery in the 2010s and resumed most of her favorite activities, though she had some lingering effects. In the summer of 2024, Linda and Don moved to Lenexa, KS, to accommodate her eventual physical decline and to comfortably reside near other family members. She used up the rest of her heart loving her life and loving all of us.

Linda is survived by her husband Don Sparlin and daughters Meg Brady (Kevin) of Rolla, MO, Jennifer Sparlin of Denver, CO, Nancy Sparlin (Max Feldt) of Overland Park, KS, and Jessica Wiseman (Scott) of Charlottesville, VA; grandchildren Lauren Oswald (Nick) of Rolla, MO, Mitchell Brady (Saba) of St. Louis, MO, Nora Feldt, Silas Feldt and Calvin Feldt of Overland Park, KS, Mattie Wiseman of Lawrence, KS, and Sid Wiseman of Charlottesville, VA; great-grandchildren Lenexa Oswald and Eleanor Oswald of Rolla, MO; Linda's sister Patricia Plake Keeney of Overland Park, KS, and her children Linda Nottberg and David Thayer; Linda's half-brother Tom Plake (Monica) of Fort Collins, CO; and many more nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her brother Frank Plake and nephews Matt Thayer and Jack Keeney.

The family expresses special gratitude to the friends and professionals who gave care and comfort to Linda through the last stages of her life: Kristi Creighton, Jackie Lucas, Beverly Lenox, Avi Fernandez, Phelps Health Hospice, and St. Luke's Hospice. Thank you so much.

A celebration of Linda's life will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at 816 Laurel Drive in Rolla. Please join the family in warm remembrances and lively music we know she would have loved. Wear vibrant colors and bring your joyful memories of Linda to share. She will be honored by your participation. Your instruments and voices are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or blooming perennial in her honor or donate to any local arts organization in her memory. Ozark Actors' Theatre and Rolla Choral Arts Society are suggested in the Rolla area.