Linda Lee (Davis) Sparby, aged 74, died Wednesday June 23, 2021 at The Bay at Colonial Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wausau, WI surrounded by family. Linda was born in Merrill, WI on March 30, 1947 to Greenwood O. Davis and Ila M. (Williquette) Davis. Her parents preceded her in death in 1987 and 1977. Linda lived in Merrill her whole life, with the exception of a few years in Texas as a child living in her father’s hometown near Huntsville. She graduated Merrill High School in 1965. Linda had many talents; she was smart and tough with just the right amount of sass. She loved to read, cook, camp and fish, go to Brewers games and watch the Packers with crazed, yelling family members. She treasured every pet she had in her life, and there were many! She enjoyed a good project around the house. No wall would stand where she didn’t want a wall! She loved to tell tales of her time in Texas being a cowgirl and wrangling armadillos. Linda was never afraid of hard work. She worked many jobs over the years including manager of a convenience store, retail, welding and supervisor at a factory. The job she loved was being a mom. She raised five children, through good times and hard times.She hosted epic Thanksgivings where she made it all! The siblings fight for her homemade stuffing was real! The job she loved most, by far, was that of being Nana to 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Linda is survived by her children, Stephanie (Michele Perreault) Spoehr of Madison, Mark (Karla) Spoehr of Merrill, Jennifer Hanson of Wausau and Shane (Leah) Hanson of Merrill. Her daughter Molly Hanson preceded her in death January of 2011. Linda is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Alison, Amira, Brenna, Kristina (Ryan), Kayla, Dyllan, Chase, Jake, James (Erica), Robert, Austin, Alex, Collin, Lydia, Sylvia and Mia and 5 great grandchildren, Carter, Vayda, Eli, Liam, and Kolton Christopher. She was preceded in death by grandchild Kolton Gregory. She is further survived by her brother James (Judy) Davis of Minnesota and many nephews and cousins. Sadly, Linda recently lost her husband, Donald J. Sparby on April 25, 2021. She was also predeceased by her dearest friend Lynn (Sayers) Rasmussen (Feb. 1989), who she loved like a sister.
We are saddened by our loss and will miss her deeply. The Yellow Rose of Texas has gone home. A Memorial Service for Linda will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 11am at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. Pastor Mike Southcombe will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jul 1, 2021, from 10am until the time of the service, also at the funeral home. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.It may be viewed under her obituary on the funeral home website and will begin at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s name may be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.