Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-life-panel.jpg

Linda Shassberger

November 12, 1960 - September 2, 2018
Marne, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-01.jpg



Visitation

Monday, September 10, 2018
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Orchard Hill Church
1465 3 MIle Road NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Map

Visitation

Monday, September 10, 2018
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Orchard Hill Church

Brief Ceremony

Monday, September 10, 2018
7:00 PM EDT
Orchard Hill Church
1465 3 Mile Road NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Any Cancer Organization of your choice

Her family asks that you support the organization of your choice. Examples: Susan B. Komen Foundation, Van Andel Institute, American Cancer Society, Gilda's Club...

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

All who knew Linda Anne Shassberger would agree that she was the heartbeat of wherever she went. She was free spirited and didn’t shy away from doing things her own way and was known for her zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. It was easy to see that Linda’s whole world was wrapped up in the family she shared with the love of her life. Outgoing and talkative, a stranger never remained a stranger for long when Linda was around. Life will never be the same without her here, but the lives of so many others will be forever changed because of her love.

After the end of WWII, the economy in Kaiserslautern, Germany, began to rise. By the year 1960, the unemployment rate was just over one percent, which was truly unprecedented. It was just as this decade was dawning that Richard and Ingrid (Nowakowski) Rademaker were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Linda Anne on November 12, 1960. Her father was in the Army and stationed there when she was born, but when Linda was six months old he was discharged so they moved to Onekama, Michigan, near Richards hometown of Manistee. Linda was the older of two children as she was joined in her family by her younger sister, Tina. Linda attended local schools including Onekama High School where she was a cheerleader and ran the 440 yard dash. In addition to holding down her studies, she worked at an ice cream shop.

After graduating from high school in 1978, Linda went to Central Michigan University, graduating in 1982 with a degree in business administration. She also caused some excitement when she burned cookies so badly that the fire department had to come! With her studies behind her, Linda took a job with Interstate Trucking in Grand Rapids, which required her to spend the first six weeks taking classes in computer technology and programming.

Not to be forgotten during her time in training was Linda’s introduction to the man of her dreams. His name was Mark Shassberger, and he was also taking the same class. They spent some time together, and their relationship really took off once Mark noticed that Linda was no longer wearing an engagement ring! She began working in August of 1982, and they were married on August 25, 1984, at the Lutheran Church in Onekama. Since they were building a home on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, they skipped the honeymoon to pay for their home instead. Shortly thereafter, Linda landed a job at Spartan Stores where she worked for some time before moving to Foremost Insurance,. She eventually took a job at Meijer corporate headquarters., and her entire career was spent in various facets of information technology Linda was very skilled at her work and learned quickly. Those who knew her also know that she had opinions about the way things should be done. Since she was so knowledgeable in both IT and business, Linda was the quick person to go to for any computer issues or financial wisdom.

There was never anything of greater significance in Linda’s life than her family. Their first daughter, Amanda, was born about three months early and struggled. During her life of 18 months, she was only able to be home for about a month. Their family later grew with the births of Nicole and Taylor, and Linda and Mark raised their girls on Geddes on the Northwest side of Grand Rapids. As a mom she was actively involved in her girls’ lives as she only worked part-time while they were young. They had a wonderful neighborhood, and Linda enjoyed visiting with their neighbors and hosting them at their pool. She was a very social person who always made sure there was plenty of laughter. Linda made sure she kept a clean home.

The Shassberger family was always up for an adventure. They took a few trips including to Florida, but most of their trips were up in Northern Michigan to visit family. About 20 years ago Linda and Mark bought their first boat. They enjoyed traveling to inland lakes, and they also kept their boat in Grand Haven where they spent nearly every weekend in the summer and made amazing friends. Through some of those friends, Linda and Mark were introduced to Tucson, Arizona, and a couple of years ago they decided to exchange the boat for a place in Tucson. They loved going there in the spring and fall, and they spent the entire month of March in 2017 there. They worked while there, but with the time difference they were able to finish their work by two in the afternoon so they could spend the rest of the afternoon at the pool. About 11 years ago, they moved to their current home in Marne. Just recently, Linda and Mark were able to retire together, which was very significant to them both. They enjoyed four different cruises together over the years despite the fact that Linda got seasick easily. She enjoyed reading the newspaper and looked for the Sudoko puzzles. She attended Orchard Hill Church and for a number of years she ran the nursery.

Throughout her life Linda brought the world around her to life. She had a great sense of humor, and everyone who knew Linda knew that she could be a bit brash in her language at times. However, it was usually all in the name of having fun. Linda didn’t shy away from speaking her mind, and there was never any reason to sugar coat things in her mind. Sincere and truthful, Linda was a loyal friend who was always there with a listening ear to offer helpful feedback and advice. It was devastating to Linda as well as her family and friends when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer about two years ago. She endured months of treatments, but this past March she changed course. Her health soon declined.

There was never anyone who met Linda Shassberger and left unchanged. Together she and her husband exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were partners, soul mates, and true companions. The rock of her family, Linda was there for her daughters whenever they needed her, and she was more than just their mother as she was also their best friend. Linda could brighten up even the darkest of days, even when faced with her own challenges. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

On September 2nd, 2018, Linda Shassberger (Rademaker) left this earth and joined God in Heaven after a two year courageous battle with breast cancer. Linda leaves behind her husband of 34 years, Mark; her mother, Ingrid Rademaker; sister, Tina Rademaker; daughters Nicole (Jose) Mulero and Taylor Shassberger; grandchildren Landon, Zayden and Lilly; mother-in-law Patricia Shassberger; sister-in-law Suzanne Shassberger; as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

Linda was the best wife, mother, grandma, sister daughter and friend that anyone could have. She and Mark met at work and were able to retire from Meijer together, an accomplishment that meant a lot to both of them. She was his teammate, soul mate and love of his life for over 36 years. Even rough times were made better with her comforting ways. She did have some choice naughty words, but that was Lindy.

As a mother, she always put her children first. She was always available to answer the numerous phone calls to provide a listening ear, to provide a much needed laugh, to give honest and helpful advice, and most of all to provide love, comfort and support for her daughters. She was not only their mother, but their best friend.

Linda's smile would light up a room and her sense of humor had you laughing for hours. She had a heart of gold and she never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Linda's wisdom and advice will always be cherished by those lucky enough to have received it. She was an amazing woman who was loved by so many.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Amanda; father, Richard Rademaker; and father-in-law Ronald Shassberger.

Her family invites friends and family to gather together on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 2-4 PM and 6-7 PM at Orchard Hill Reformed Church, 1465 3 Mile Road NW in Grand Rapids where a brief ceremony will begin at 7 PM. For those who wish to make a memorial donation, please support a cancer organization of your choice. To read more about Linda's life, to share a memory or to sign her online guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com.

Linda, Lindy, Mommy: You will never be forgotten, always missed, and forever loved.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/123609/123609-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg