Linda Rae SCHABER

1952 - 2024

Linda Rae Schaber passed unexpectedly from complications of a major stroke on July 2, 2024, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Linda Rae Schaber was born July 5, 1952, on Offutt Air Force Base, Sarpy County, Nebraska, to Ellis Ray Venable and Dorothy Jean Shipley. An only child, she was the apple of their eye and pride of their lives. Ray's assignments in the military allowed Linda to live in several locations including England, and Guam.

While living as a young girl in Guam, the island experienced a typhoon, and the family was repatriated back to the United States. Ray's military career eventually brought his family to Spokane, Washington, where Linda graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1970.

Linda met the love of her life, Robert John Schaber and he introduced her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Linda had beautiful faith and was baptized as a member. The couple married on April 23, 1976. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on October 14, 1978. As a devout follower of Christ, Linda served in many callings and various capacities in the Church and built many deep relationships through these sacred experiences.

Linda's primary focus throughout her life was building her eternal family. As a young mother, she lost her own mother to cancer, and remained extremely close to her father and eventual stepmother, Maria Knowles Venable. A talented homemaker, she cultivated a home of love and joy, and had a gift for smoothing out difficult situations. She was a grand hostess, and her homemade vanilla ice cream became a legendary tradition at annual Fourth of July family gatherings. Camping at Priest Lake was a favorite family trip, and Linda could usually be found making certain everyone was enjoying themselves and had plenty to eat.

Linda was profoundly supportive and attended countless sporting events, plays, dance performances, music recitals, and awards ceremonies of her children and grandchildren. She was thrilled to show photos of and talk about her family of which she was so proud.

Linda worked as a teacher's aide at various Spokane elementary schools for about 16 years. She was loved by both the students and staff alike; some colleagues became lifetime friends.

Bob and Linda have lived in the same Spokane home since they were married. However, for the past several years, they became snowbirds, and sought out the sunny skies of Mesa, Arizona for the winter months. They made many dear friends at the popular Silveridge RV Resort community there.

Linda is survived by her 'bonus' mother, Maria; her adoring husband, Bob; her three children, Steven (Amy), Mark (Heidi), Stephanie Watts; and her seven grandchildren, Madison Watts, Kaden Watts, Hailey Schaber, John Schaber, Grace Schaber, Brielle Schaber, and Kate Schaber.

It was Linda's wish that a gravesite service be held in her honor for family and friends. It will be held Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 12:30pm, Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA 99205.