Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Linda K. Roberts
Obituary
Linda Kay Roberts (née Schlafer), age 73, left us to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center Hospital in La Crosse, WI. She was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin on November 20, 1947 to Neal and Beuna Schlafer, the third oldest of their six children.
A loving daughter, sister, wife and mother, and a true friend to many, Linda was also known as a rescuer of people, animals, and family history. During her time in Virginia as a Navy wife in the submarine community, a daunting challenge in and of itself, Linda was also an ombudsman for two successive naval commands, serving as a critical communications link between the command and the command’s family members, helping to provide resources and support for families of submariners and advocating for command families in times of need. Linda’s passion for helping others also led her to become a foster parent, opening her home and heart to provide a safe and secure environment to abused and neglected girls and young women.
After returning to Wisconsin in the late 1990’s, Linda focused her passion to rescue toward animals, namely horses, as well as other four-legged friends big and small. When not working with animals, Linda could also be found volunteering for a number of charitable organizations in the greater Richland County area, namely the Vietnam Veterans of Wisconsin, Chapter 7, as well as the Second Harvest Food Pantry of Southern Wisconsin. Linda also loved collecting and restoring antique furniture, and spent countless hours researching and documenting the genealogy of both Schlafer and Roberts family lineages in order to help preserve valuable family history of generations past for generations to come.
Linda is survived by her husband, Jerry Cline and four children: Thomas (married to Kristen Senyard), Gary (Sheri Saling), Jennifer (married to Thomas Hopson) and Angela (Tanya Kapp). Linda is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Anthony, Jessica, Quinn, Jillian, Ava, Mason, Brenden, Lachlyn, Thomas, Sara, Gabriel, and Laney.
Virtual Celebration of Life
& Online Reception
Recorded Friday, October 29, 2021
The Roberts family invites you to view the virtual celebration of life and interactive reception honoring our dear Linda.
Please enjoy this playlist of musical selections Inspired by Linda
Slide Show
Photo Gallery
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”
Please Consider Donating To: Vietnam Veterans of America
“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) knows what returning veterans face. We have been through it before and we know that, despite all the rhetoric, returning veterans will face major problems. VVA will be here for as long as it takes to make sure that those who serve our country receive the care and respect they have earned.
Linda worked tirelessly to aid Vietnam veterans in her local chapter through hosting veterans at her home to annual fundraisers like “Brat Fry” for Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 7. She was passionate about making up for the mistreatment they experienced upon returning home which impacted her as a young woman in the post-Vietnam era.
Your Donation to Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) beautifully honors Linda’s memory and the cause she loved so dearly. The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is a non-profit and 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organization, all funds go to helping veterans.
Please Consider Donating To: Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation
The Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation is dedicated to providing qualified homes for any horse in need. It is our goal to make certain that every horse placed in our care is provided with all the necessary ingredients for a safe and happy life, and that it is also protected from those who would do it harm.
Each horse placed in our care will receive our full efforts to ensure that it never ends up in the auction ring or on the slaughterhouse floor. We promise to do our best to provide only the best homes with dedicated families for every animal we place.
From a young age, Linda was in love with horses. Her dream was to some day be able to rescue and care for horses in need. She was able to rescue some horses through her own efforts but often felt it wasn’t enough and wanted to do more.
Your Donation to The Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation is a great way to honor Linda’s passion for rescuing her favorite four-legged friends. The Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation is a non-profit and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all funds go to helping horses.
I met Linda by marrying into the family. I immediately became another Aunt. She welcomed me with open loving arms. Memories will live forever in pictures and my heart. Linda was an amazing talented lady. So many things come to mind but the top one is her love for her rescue horses and her beautiful home. So many landscape pictures I have taken. I will miss you so much Linda but I will see you again. Give your Uncle Ken the biggest hug you can from me. Love you bunches.
I will miss and treasure the times spent with this special cousin. We always managed to have fun. She was my angel, as she was there for my mother and me. She helped provide comfort and support when my mother was preparing to leave this earth.
What a loving tribute to Linda. We had not had the opportunity to meet her, but we love her son Thomas. He has enriched our family.
I was blessed to know Linda because of a common interest in the Schlafer family history. She was so faithful to organize the Schlafer reunions. I’m a granddaughter of Elizabeth (Schlafer) Wilson and daughter of Sharon (Wilson) Hilleshiem. Love and prayers to all of you.
Lois, Linda, and Laura
Mom, Dad, Linda, Laura, and Don Schlafer
Linda and Jerry’s wedding ❤️
A Sunday afternoon drive in Erin WI
Linda and Don
Don, Linda, Lois, Gary
Auntie Linda meets Zoë for the first time. She ran off with Zoë and didn’t give her back to me until after the reunion was over.
At Grandma Schlafer’s funeral reception
Zoë and Auntie Linda
Linda was so dedicated to the welfare of our Veterans. She participated in many of the fund raisers that were then applied to scholarships and to assist for troop packages. She was always a joy to work with. Our condolences to the family, she will be missed with sadness.