Linda Jarabek

Dates

Obituary

Linda Clarice Jarabek (nẻe Moeller), a longtime resident of Chandler, Arizona, died at home after a short and brave battle with cancer on October 23, 2023. She was surrounded by family who had the privilege of spending her final days with her. A private family gathering to celebrate Linda’s life will be held on a date to be announced.

Linda was born January 7, 1951, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell, South Dakota to Cecil and Neola Moeller (nẻe Glissendorf). She was raised in White Lake, South Dakota, where her later antics would become the stuff of legend to her future children. Linda attended and graduated from Stewart's School of Hairstyling. She would put her education to use later in life torturing her children with home perms which were inexplicably "in" during the late 1980s, and early 90s, photographic evidence of which will entertain generations to come. In January of 1973, Linda met her husband Dan on a blind date. In an achingly romantic act that has been told, retold, and used as a measuring stick against which her daughters’ romantic partners would thereafter be measured, Dan proposed to Linda two days after meeting her. They were married on June 23, 1973, and spent the next fifty years creating a family that is, in the eyes of their children, to be envied. Linda pursued creative endeavors throughout her life. She was an avid candle maker, jewelry designer, cake decorator, and amateur filmmaker. Her most well-known work, a documentary-style short film depicting sweeping scenes of the Black Hills set over a symphony orchestra, is one her family will cherish for many years to come.

Linda is survived by her husband Dan Jarabek, daughter Jennifer Jarabek, daughter Mandy (John) Schuchhardt, daughter Emily Jarabek, son Ben Jarabek, daughter Sarah (Joe) Gillis, daughter Katie (Joe) Schoenfelder, “much younger" sister Constance Moeller Reinesch, and multiple nieces and nephews. “Granny” leaves behind her beloved grandchildren; granddaughters Sophie, Dominique, Gabbi, Avery, Aida, Luna, Piper, and Daisy; grandsons Jackson, Damien, Sam, Atticus, Joey, Quinn, Clyde, and Eli and great-granddaughter Norah.

To put into words how much she will be missed is impossible. Though she drew her last breath on October 23, 2023, she will live on. She lives on through Dan and the six happy, successful children they raised who are now raising happy, successful children. She lives on each time one of those children endeavors to make multiple batches of miniature cornflake Christmas wreaths, gets frustrated, and makes one big wreath instead. She lives on in the wild streak we all share. Most importantly, she lives on with every act of kindness done purely for kindness' sake because that is who she was.

In lieu of cards and flowers, Linda’s family requests you perform one random act of kindness for a stranger in her name.