Linda Claire Babl

Linda Claire Babl, 57, born in Wausau, WI, died after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Linda showed incredible strength, courage, and determination throughout her fight, in the face of unbelievable adversity. Refusing to give up despite numerous hospitalizations and stays in nursing homes as the disease continuously robbed her of her mobility and freedom. Regardless of the havoc of the illness, she always acted as a lady of distinction, honor, and dignity. She loved life, her sons and family, her friends, her pet Yorkshire Terriers, and most of all her husband. Linda was born September 5, 1948, in Wausau, the third daughter of Harry (late) and Arlet (Meuret) Schield. On July 18, 1970 she married the love of her life, Aaron Babl, in Wausau. She found it easy to make friends and enjoy life as they made their home in Colorado Springs, CO / LaCrosse / Madison / San Jose, CA / Verona / Boulder, CO and finally Longmont, CO. She received her Bachelors degree in Communicative Disorders (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. Then earned her Masters in Speech and Language from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She practiced for years in the special education departments of multiple school systems (Trempeleau County, LaCrosse Schools, Santa Clara California, and Mt. Horeb) and rehabilitation facilities. After multiple sclerosis struck, she was a successful Mary Kay consultant working out of her home. She loved being a hockey mom and would travel constantly to watch her boys. You could easily locate Linda in the crowd cheering with her 'cow bell' ringing. Linda enjoyed reading, watching movies, eating out, interacting with people, laughing, loving, and spending time with her sisters, sister-in-laws, and girlfriends. Survivors include her husband of 35 wonderful years, Aaron 'Butch', her two sons, Nick of Colorado Springs CO and Greg of Longmont CO, her mother Arlet Schield of Wausau, her three sisters, Susan (David) Ingerson of Portland OR, Phyllis (David) Euley of Scottsdale AZ, Kathy (Thomas) Mesalk of Cedarburg, her mother and father-in-law Lawrence and Regina Babl of Schofield, sister and brother-in-laws, Marilyn (Stu) Urban, Lancaster, Laurie (Bill) Johnston, Merrill, Jessica (David) Zoromski, Ringle, Dave (Joni) Babl, Elmwood, Julianne (Patrick) Steffeck, Wausau, Gary (Kathy) Babl, Mosinee, Pam (Jim) Schroeter, Rib Mountain, Mark Babl (deceased), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many very special friends. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2005 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. Rev. Dr. Michael Meranda will officiate. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.