Linda Marie Gabbert, 58, of Montana City passed away Friday morning April 29, 2011 of a heart attack suffered on Monday April 25, 2011.
Linda was born in Dickinson, North Dakota January 17, 1953 to Mike and Rose (Hegel) Sticka. She received her education and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1971. Linda and Wayne Gabbert were married in Dickinson August 26, 1972. They moved to Helena in 1974 where she worked for the State Highway Department for a period of 5 years.
In November of 1987, Linda and Wayne started Outdoor Motor Sports on Highway 12 East which they currently operate to this day. Following her employment with the highway department, Linda started her career with the United States Postal Service. She was a clerk in the Helena Post Office for 17 years and then 13 years for the East Helena Post Office. She retired in October of 2009. Linda and Wayne attended Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Helena.
Linda was an amazing, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a very generous person with a heart of gold always giving to others. She loved to talk to people. She enjoyed her family and friends, traveling, shopping, planting flowers, spending time with her granddaughter Myla Grace.
Linda was preceded in death by her father, Mike Sticka; brother, Alvin Sticka; brother-in-law Brian Reiter and father-in-law Arlos Gabbert.
She is survived by her husband Wayne of Montana City; daughter and son-in-law Holly (Ryan) Dahlke of Helena; son, Chad Gabbert of Coeur d” Alene, Idaho; mother, Rose Sticka of Dickinson, ND; twelve sisters, Bertha Sticka of Bismarck, Sarah (Don) Froehlich of Belfield, ND, Jan (Don) Roller of Billings, MT, LaVerne (Bob) Fichter of Bismarck, ND, Marilyn (Arnie) Lefor of Fargo, ND, Sandy (Jeff) Kadrmas of Brighton, CO, Charlotte (Roger) Barnes of Commerce City, CO, Renae (Garry) Bates of Dickinson, ND, Connie (Steve) Garcia of San Antonio, TX, Joyce (Dennis) Carlson of Calgary, Alberta Canada, Debbie (Keith) Zastoupil of Dickinson, ND and Laurie (Melvin) Zastoupil of Dickinson, ND; Her granddaughter, Myla Grace Dahlke of Helena; mother-in-law Vivian Gabbert of Dickinson, ND. Linda is also survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family and many dear friends.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 2nd at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3rd at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. To share a memory of Linda or offer condolences to the family please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Carrie (Damschen) Krepps says
Holly & Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. We just lost our mom 8 weeks ago, so I can truly say I know how you feel. Please call if there is anything we can do for you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. Your mom was a wonderful lady, always a smile on her face!
You are in my prayers.
Steve Bates says
Renae and family…i am so sorry for your loss… your all in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane (Filipi) Keck says
Dear Wayne and family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Being a neighbor my sisters shared Sundays walking back and forth with Linda’s family. We had so much in common, coming from a large family too. Losing someone so special is hard to comprehend- you are in our thoughts and prayers. God be with you.
Pete and Yvonne Gardzina says
Dear Wayne and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Linda was such a nice lady. Please let us know what we can do to help, especially since we’re right next door.
Scott & Christel Dinges says
Dear Wayne and Family,
we are so sorry for your loss.
With our deepest Sympathy
may you find strenght and comfort
from friends and family
during these difficult days.
Melissa Schmidt says
Uncle Wayne, Holly, and Chad, I am sending you my love during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss. Aunt Linda will be missed by all who ever met her. She was a great woman who always wore a smile on her face. If their is anything we can do please let us know.
AIMEE COLLISON says
So very sorry for your loss! Linda was such an amazing person! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ann morel says
Laurie, just to let you and your entire family know that we are thinking about all of you and praying that God will send you the strength and peace that you need to get through this difficult time. God Bless
Friends at Dickinson Clinic
George & Jackie lloyd says
Wayne and Family,
So sorry to hear about Linda. Our heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
George and Jackie Lloyd
Pat Kessner says
Holly & Family: I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was an incredible person who loved you and your family with all her heart. You will feel her presence when you least expect it so you know she will always be with you. Always know that you were loved so much. I will be in touch.
Vonnie Jenkins says
Wayne & Family,
I’m so sorry for you loss. Linda was a wonderful person and always had a bright smile on her face. She will be missed tremendously. You’re in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Linda Schaible says
I am so sorry to hear of Linda’s passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I had the pleasure of knowing her from the Post Office. She was truly a great person and friend and with be greatly missed.
Jerry Crawford says
I worked next to Linda in the East Helena Post Office for 5 years. She has been and always will be a part of my life. I will miss her.
Russ & Kelli Kaufman says
Wayne, Holly and Chad,
We are so very sorry to hear about your loss…please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
Monica Tavenner says
Wayne, Holly, and Chad,
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your wife, mother, and grandmother. We are very sorry we could not be there today but please remember all of you are in our thoughts! We hope that your wonderful memories of Linda help all of you during this difficult time! If we can be of any help or support please let us know!
Love, Eric, Monica, Tim, Tyler, and Tommy
Jess Smith says
I am so sorry to hear about Linda. I can only imagine how huge the hole in your hearts must be right now. I hope the Lord can bring you more and more comfort as time goes on. It is hard for me to imagine a world without Linda’s sweet smile and the music of her laughter. Angie and I will be praying for you. If we can help any of you, please call us.
Jo Copeland says
Dear Gabbert family,
I am so sorry for your loss and really quite shocked, and saddened. I spoke with Linda at the post office just before she retired. I knew Linda from the post office and also from helping out with a mutual elderly friend. We did walk together and visit on one occassion. Linda was a beautiful person and she touched my life, even though I only knew her for a short time.
The Lord comfort all of you through this time.
Sincerely,
Jo Copeland
Bonnie & Don Ficek says
Dear Wayne and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you with added strength and courage during this most difficult time. May Linda’s memory live on forever and ever in your hearts. God bless her memory. Gently…may peace replace your heartache.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Bonnie(Zander)& Don Ficek
Jo Ann Jones says
Wayne: When I handled your business banking needs years ago, Linda was always there with a smile. I appreciated her kindness and thoughtfulness throughout the years. The true angels are taken from us too soon. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.
RonnieTuss says
Wayne, Holly, and Chad- What a special person your wife and mother was! She always had a smile, a twinkle in her eye, and kind words for everyone she met. She was a very supportive parent when the two of you attended Jim Darcy and it was so nice to met up with her again in Cour de’Alene when our boys were there. You were lucky to have such a beautiful(inside and outside)wife/ mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Ronnie Paradis Tuss & family
Mike & Mary Root says
Sorry for your loss. She will be forever in your memories and heart. Remember the happy times. The Guardian Angels will keep her safe until you meet again.
The Root’s
Kelly Bachmeier says
Wayne, Holly and Chad,
We are so sorry for your loss. May God Bless you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Wade and Kelly Bachmeier
Kevin Wood says
Condolences
matt and chiko olson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today.Our hearts ached when you told us of the passing of Linda. But, I know that her big smile and tender heart lives through your lives. I know she loved you very much and we are so fortunate to have known her.
Misti Taylor says
Holly, Chad and Wayne – Although I could not be there, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers… I pray that you find comfort in the company of close family and friends as you grieve the loss of a truely amazing woman. One who’s has had a far-reaching, positive impact on more people than she would ever know. I will always remember Linda’s giving smile, infectious laugh and sincere concern for people. She shared these amazing gifts with you and countless others throughout her life. And in doing so, she passed these gifts on to live through you, those she’s touched and those who she’s never met, but have felt the effects of her grace through those who have. I pray that sharing these memories will help heal your mourning hearts and give these gifts momentum to shine on.
Sincerely – Misti Taylor
Julie Gambill says
I am so sorry for your sudden loss,we as a family understand the emotions that flood your mind heart and family.My deepest thoughts and prayers for your family.May the memory’s of her beautiful smile be with you always.If we can do or help in any way let us know.Julie Gambill(Davids mom)
Karen Miser says
Linda was a very special person. I do not remember a time that she never smiled. She always had smile in her voice as well as one you could enjoy seeing. I am glad that she has been my friend over these past years. Wayne, you were blessed with her in your life as well as for your family. We will all miss her. Thanks for sharing her with the rest of us.
Krista Loke says
Marilyn, Arnie & family. I am sad to hear of the passing of your Sister, Linda. My thoughts and prayers are going out to you today.
Matthew Stanley says
Linda was such a sweet friend and so good to me during my time in Montana from 1993-95. I still look back at our times together sorting mail on 2nd shift at the Helena SCF, laughing and enjoying the motherly love she extended my way (knowing how far I was from my family). When I was unexpectedly ill in ’95, she routinely visited me in the hospital and showed me her genuine concern. I still have the motorcycle she and Wayne sold me in ’95 and treasure it. I hope her family knows that from across the miles, they are in my thoughts. I’ll miss you, Linda.
Laurie Fritz-Biel says
My deepest sympathy to all of Linda’s family at this very sad time. Although I hadn’t seen her in a long time I still have very fond memories of our neighborhood while growing up.May you all hold your memories of her near and dear. My condolences.
Bob and Karen Berry says
We so enjoyed our visits with Linda when we would come to the window at the E.H. post office. She always had a friendly hello and took the time to visit. Bob worked with Linda at the Helena office for a number of years and Karen got to know her through a mutual friend.
We will miss her dearly.
Don & Susie Maus says
We just wanted you all to know how very sorry we are for the loss of your sister, Linda. This was much too soon to loose her. We know she had her special place in your hearts and family when we saw all you girls together at your mom’s 85th birthday celebration and marveled over the fact that all you girls got along so well, and were truly sisters in every sense of the word. Now we really treasure being invited to share in that special occasion. She loved you and she knew you loved her too, and love never dies. Know we are thinking about you and praying for you during this difficult time. God bless you all.
Cousin – Don & Susie
Cass and Samantha Mongoven says
Wayne, Holly and Chad … words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. Linda was an amazing person and friend. You guys were a huge part of our lives for so many years … we love you so very much. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. God Blesss. Hugs to all … Cass, Samantha, Payton and Macrae.
Carol and Roger Young says
As nextdoor neighbors of Jan and Don Roller we were aware of Linda’s fight to survive the heart attack that has unfortunately taken her life. We send our sincere sympathy to her family in this time of sorrow. May God’s peace enfold you now and always.