Linda Dianne (Palser) Schledewitz passed away on October 8, 2021, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. At the time of her death, she had been a resident of Scottsbluff for four years.
On July 20, 1956, Linda was born in Julesburg, CO, to Myron and Marjorie Clopine. She came just a few minutes after her twin sister, Lynnette Dionne. The girls joined their older brothers Chuck and Dan to even the scorecard.
The early years of Linda’s life developed her spirit of adventure as the family moved around the sandhills. Her elementary days were spent in the small towns of Julesburg, Ainsworth, and Valentine, Nebraska. By junior high, they decided to plant roots in Ogallala, where she finished high school and made lifelong friends. Linda’s extra-curricular interests included band, typing, writing, reading, and youth group. From 14-18, her work ethic grew strong as she helped her dad at the nursing home and family motel.
As an active member of her youth group, she was there every time the doors were open. And one day in 1970, the doors opened, and in walked a handsome stud, Larry Palser, who caught her eye and then her heart. Larry and Linda’s first date was to a youth Valentine’s banquet in Dalton, NE. Four years later, on July 26, they were married less than one week after Linda’s 18th birthday in 1974.
The young couple lived on the tableland south of Big Springs, where Linda thrived as farm wife and mother. Beth was born in 1976, Tami in ’78, and Scott completed the Palser Pack in 1980.
While Linda was busy with managing three littles and the home, Larry was making farming decisions. One of those included moving from irrigated farming in Nebraska to dryland farming in Colorado. In 1979, after a scouting trip, a few rejected offers, and one big miracle from God, the family pulled up stakes and moved to Otis, Colorado, to build their operation. Over the years, their family grew and enjoyed making memories involving ski trips, Lake McConaughy, sporting events, Colorado Rockies games, and motorcycle trips.
Linda loved to travel. Whether it be on the back of Larry’s motorcycle with a group of their friends or a cruise ship with family, she loved the excitement. The trip of her life was when she toured Italy with her closest friend and cousin, Janet Turner.
That same adventurous spirit led her to believe riding behind Larry on the Harley wasn’t how she wanted to see the world anymore. So, Linda went out and bought a bike of her own, a brand-new 2005 Sportster. In addition to a riding instructional class, Tyson got recruited to teach her how to ride. There were a few close calls and stutter steps like every newbie, but she got the hang of it and eventually upgraded to a 2006 Heritage Softail. It was perfect for her short little legs as it sat low enough to reach the ground if she wore her tall boots and stood on her tippy toes. And that’s how Linda played.
When it came to work, she’d work circles around anyone. During the ’80s and 90’s she found places to contribute that matched her skill sets and interests. She was a typesetter and editor/columnist for the Akron News Reporter and Otis Independent. Keeping financial books for the farm, the Otis School District, Akron Foursquare Church, and then working at the accounting office of Melanie K. Krening inspired her to get an official education from Colorado Technical University. She graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. Linda managed to complete her degree in just 2 ½ years and received Summa Cum Laude honors. For the last fifteen years, she has been taking care of The Rock Church finances along with the churches they have planted in North Platte, Nebraska, and Lander and Cody, Wyoming.
Linda’s love for the Lord never wavered. Her work ethic for the Kingdom was just as evident as what she did for the world. For more than 30 years, her involvement at Akron Foursquare Church included Children’s Christmas Musicals, choir director, and worship leader. She was active in women’s ministry and never missed a holiday party, potluck, or funeral dinner to host.
In 2009, Linda fought and won a battle with breast cancer.
In the spring of 2012, Larry was diagnosed with cancer. Linda ministered to him just as she vowed: “in sickness and in health.” Fueled by the Holy Spirit and unrelenting energy, she sat by his side and cared for his needs day after day until he went home to Heaven that summer.
Larry was her world. Without her true North, she felt lost for a while. In 2013, she bought a house in Sterling to be close to grandkids, yet still have amenities of a larger town. A couple of years later, in 2015, she decided that sunshine was what her soul needed, so she headed south to Sun Lakes, Arizona. After a health scare, her kids convinced her to move a little bit closer to family, so in 2017 Linda bought a house and finally felt at home again in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
In complete Linda fashion, she jumped all in at The Rock Church and got all up in handling their business…sometimes overstepping with nothing but good intentions. But they couldn’t have done it without her. And they wouldn’t want to. Every staff member and pastor has better stewardship, accountability, and protocols when it comes to finances. Linda truly used her gifts and skills to honor the Lord and better the Kingdom.
In 2020, her life changed again. She met a man online! After a whirlwind romance, Jerry Schledewitz proposed to Linda, and they were married in November. He brought out the best in her, and the spirit of adventure was awakened once again. They loved going for long walks, tending the garden, and chasing grandkids around the Midwest to various recitals, ceremonies, and sporting events. Together they built a house at Lake McConaughy and enjoyed watching sunsets and fishing from their kayak. Linda was truly living and loving life again.
Linda was passionate about a few things… her kids, grandkids, siblings, nieces, and nephews. She fiercely loved her family. She was passionate about close friends, church family, and even dogs. Oh, the many dogs that were loved by Linda for a short time. Above all, Linda was passionate about Jesus. She loved him deeply. Endlessly. Without wavering. Jesus was her rock and hope.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mervin and Ellen Clopine, Clyde and Anna Johnson, her parents, Myron and Marjorie Clopine, and her husband, Larry Palser. Linda is survived by her husband Jerry Schledewitz, siblings Chuck Clopine (Millie), Dan Clopine (Sherry), and Lynnette Blackstone (Darrell). Her children, Beth Wells (Josh), Tami Lambertson (Tyson), and Scott Palser (Allison). Grandkids Isaac (Kailee), Peyton, Carter, and Judah Wells; Lauryn, Jaron, and Nolan Lambertson; Rylee, Jackson, and Jase Palser. She also leaves behind her beloved Schledewitz family: husband Jerry, son Dustin (Erin), and daughter Kelsey Miller (James). Grandkids Elijah, Evie, Matthias, and Finley Schledewitz; Preston, Livie, and Harper Miller.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at The Rock Church in Scottsbluff, NE with Rev. Dr. Tyson Lambertson, Rev. Tami Lambertson, & Rev. Vaughn Fahrenbruck officiating. A public viewing will be held on Friday, October 15, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Rock Church, Akron Foursquare Church, or Convoy of Hope.
