Linda May Kappel, 65

Linda (Black) Kappel, 65, of Everett, Wash., passed away Sept. 22, 2011, after an almost four-year battle with the affects of strokes, cancers and both heart and respiratory diseases. She fought long and courageous battles against each, she never gave up the fight.

Linda was born in Ogden, Utah, on Jan. 11, 1946, to John and Edna Black. When Linda was 2 years old her family moved to Post Falls. She grew up there and graduated from Post Falls High School in 1965.

Linda also lived in Medford, Ore., and Reno, Nev., before moving to Everett in 1981 with her two young children. She went to work for Eldec Corporation, now Crane Aerospace, until illness forced her to retire in 2008.

In October 1981 she met Ken Kappel, the love of her life. They were married on Aug. 12, 1986, in Coeur d'Alene. They had a long and loving relationship. Over the years Linda enjoyed family, friends, shopping and traveling across the country.

Linda was a kindhearted person who always had a million-dollar smile for everyone she knew or met. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Even in the face of overwhelming illnesses during the last four years her smile, humor and snappy retorts rarely left her.

The family would like to thank all the people who helped and cared for her during the last four years, with special thanks to all the staff at The Regional Hospital For Respiratory Care. Thank you to the staff of Providence Hospital for all their care during her many, many stays during the past four years. Lastly they would especially like to thank Janet K. for all the home care she gave Linda during the last year and a half. Her contributions were invaluable and helped Linda beyond measure.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and sister Julie Lear.

Linda is survived by her husband, Ken; son Timothy of Everett; daughter Kathi Perron (Russell) of Tacoma, Wash.; granddaughter Penelope of Tacoma and stepdaughter Katy Haba (Edouard) of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by her brother, Merle of Post Falls; and sisters, Mryna St. Marie (Lynn) of Reno and Caroline Reasor (Larry) of Idaho.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 215 Mukilteo Boulevard in Everett.