Linda J. Dabel, 67, of Troy

Linda J. Dabel, 67, of Troy died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor-vehicle accident. 

She was born Sept. 18, 1945, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Monte and Patricia Clark Rowberry.  

A memorial services is scheduled 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints in Libby.  

Linda was a wonderful, hard-working woman who loved her family more than anything. Linda, her two sisters and one brother were raised by Patricia and Monte Rowberry in Soda Springs, Idaho, and eventually moved to Libby with her husband and best friend Carl Dabel. 

In her 67 years, she raised eight kids of her own, six of whom live in Montana and the other two in Idaho and Utah. Linda was very proud of her children and one of her greatest joys was spending time with her 32 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She enjoyed hearing about all of their life events, watching them in sports and going camping with them whenever possible.

Linda was craftlike, artistic and loved to learn. For several years, while residing in Soda Springs, Linda owned a ceramic doll shop where she shared her passion for making dolls with others and taught them the art of making beautiful dolls. Many of her daughters and granddaughters were blessed in receiving one of Linda’s handcrafted ceramic dolls as a gift. 

She also was very passionate about photography and loved to take pictures of wildlife and outdoor scenery. Living on the outskirts of Libby on Bull Lake provided the ideal backdrop for her passion to enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors.

Despite taking a break from formal education for almost 50 years, Linda was just catching her stride as a college student and was doing quite well. This past fall, she was really excited to have taken courses on substance abuse and humanities, both of which she received an A for the course. 

Linda was very spiritual and always believed that her time on earth was only temporary, while knowing there was a greater life after death. Linda was recently baptized into the LDS Church, and was always passionate about her devout faith in Jesus Christ. 

She was a model Christian and humanitarian, and she could always be counted on to give to others long before thinking of herself. There are many stories of Linda taking others into her home who had no other place to go, or who just needed someone to love and take care of them. She will always be remembered for her huge heart and deep love for her family.

Linda is survived by her eight children: Jerry Caldwell of Whitefish, Steve Caldwell of Columbia Falls, Nicky Butts of Columbia Falls, Jena Butts of Kalispell, Lisa Caffrey of Columbia Falls, Mike Caldwell of  Boise, Idaho, John Caldwell of Troy and Robert Caldwell of Clinton, Utah.

She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Gay of Centralia, Wash., and Julie Adamson of Libby; her brother Bill Rowberry of Libby; her mother Pat Rowberry, also of Libby; and her husband, Carl Dabel of Troy.

Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.