Linda Lee Brown Appel, 71

Linda Lee (Brown) Appel passed unexpectedly at her home in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014.

Linda was born July 8, 1943, to Wallace "Alvin" and Helen (May) Brown in Covina, Calif. She spent her younger years in Redmond, Ore., before moving with her family to Spokane, Wash., where she attended Central Valley High School.

In 1959, Linda met and married Gary R. Appel. In 1963 the couple bought their family home in St. Maries where they would live for the next 44 years.

Over the years Linda kept busy raising five children along with bookkeeping for Appel Logging. Linda enjoyed watching the Seahawks and Gonzaga. She was an avid fan. She also enjoyed visits with family and friends. Over the last couple years she discovered Facebook and it gave her many hours of enjoyment being able to see all of her family and friends far and near.

In 2007, Linda and Gary moved to Coeur d'Alene. The neighborhood that they moved into was filled with amazing people that became extended family.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, both parents, brothers Paul Brown and Donald Brown; sisters Elitha "Kitten" Gregory, Margie Casteel and Judy Urell; and son-in-law Sean Daly.

Survivors include her brother Phil Brown of Hayden and sister Rose Gilmore of Prineville, Ore.; daughters Cheryl (Jeff) Weinmann, Ginger (Charlie) Cutler, Jackie Daly, Wendy (Carl) Lee and son Michael (Anngela) Appel; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Linda and Gary will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries. The family asks that you join them for a dinner after at the Benewah County Fairgrounds, in the John Denny Building. The family suggests any memorials be made to Hospice.

English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d'Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Linda's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.