Obituary of Linda Marie Clabuesch

Kindness, humor, love, and wisdom. This was our mom. Linda Marie (Warren) Clabuesch, age 80, from Pigeon, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones on August 18, 2023.

Linda was born on April 29, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia to the late Virginia Lee and John Frank Warren.  Even though she grew up in West Bloomfield, MI, Linda considered Pigeon her home, moving there in 1975.  She was active in the Laker High School Booster Club, Pigeon Women’s Club, Girl Scouts (as a scout and a troop leader), and the Pigeon Farmers’ Festival planning committee. For many years she helped to manage local elections and taught CPR to the community.  Linda loved Halloween and every October for 25 years, her husband Jim and she would create a haunted house in their shed that would attract people from all over the county.  In December, they would host a caroling party and travel around Pigeon in a hay wagon to stop at different places to sing for the residents and friends.

Her love of animals drew her to work as a part-time veterinary assistant until she and one of her best friends opened a cozy boutique in Pigeon called Lindas’ Basket Case.  She was an amazing crossword player (doing them in cursive and ink!), a gifted knitter, a fabulous cook/baker, and a wonderful teacher to her children and grandchildren.  They spent many nights gazing at the stars and learning about constellations.  She was a great bridge player and never turned down a chance to play euchre. 

Linda immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on so many people wherever she went; she never met a stranger.  She loved to give hugs and tell jokes.  She was a joyful presence with her wit, humor, and unassuming intelligence.  She loved her friends and family and filled her home with warmth, kindness, and music.  One could always hear either classic rock or WLEW playing in her car or house.  Linda also loved movies, Indiana Jones and anything with Steve Martin being some of her favorites.  “Jeopardy!” and “Ted Lasso” were her favorite television shows along with watching the Tigers and Red Wings.  She was an avid reader of authors like Issac Asimov and Harlan Coben, reading thousands of books over the course of her life.  Words and grammar were something she loved and she could beat anyone she played in Scrabble.  She was known for her “colorful” language and could tell a dirty joke like a seasoned comedian.

Gardening was one of her passions.  She had an amazing ability to grow flowers, plants, and vegetables; even impressing nurseries with her ability to make a jade plant bloom.  She loved to grow and make her own delicious wild grape wine.  One thing she was especially known for was her homemade salsa and tomato juice; people often requested her “secret” recipe.  Linda loved making her own eggnog at Christmas, along with dozens of different cookies.  Gingerbread men were a specialty of hers.

This is only a small glimpse inside the life of this incredible woman.  To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her was a precious gift.  

Linda was preceded in death by her husband James Clabuesch, brother John Warren,  Jr., mother Virginia Warren and father John Warren; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.  She is survived by her sister Kathryn McKinley; son James Clabuesch (Shauna Griffin), daughters Kathryn (Mike) Snyder and Ginger (Brian) Arnold, grandchildren Haylee and Cayden Snyder and Ansley Arnold; two brothers-in-law, her beloved nephews and nieces; her dear friend Jennifer Roberts and her husband Tom and daughter Nadia (Tyler) Lozier; and her wonderful extended family.

Her family wants to thank everyone at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland who took wonderful care of her on all her many visits.  In addition, to the staff at DaVita Midland Dialysis who were so nice and comforting to her over the past 4+ years.  And last, but not least, we send a very heartfelt “thank you” to all the former and present staff at Stratford Pines in Midland, where Linda resided for the last 6 years.  Our mom truly felt that it was her home and loved all the people there.  We could not have asked for a better place for her to have lived.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Scenic Golf & Country Club, 8364 Filion Rd., Pigeon, MI 48755.  Please wear something yellow (her favorite color) or green & white (for Lakers.) In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donating to her favorite charity, Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307 or to a charity of the donor's choice. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.