Linda Lou (Smith) Roberts
GLADSTONE — Linda Lou (Smith) Roberts, 79, of Gladstone (Flat Rock area), passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson in Iron Mountain, where she received exceptional care. Linda was born on June 27, 1945, to Francis (Fife) and Geneva Smith. She was creative, fun, easygoing, and yet strong-willed, with a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. Linda enjoyed preparing meals for others, crafting, painting landscapes, playing cards, and bingo. Surprisingly, she also found joy in doing laundry and dishes.
From an early age, Linda was a hard worker. She began working for her neighbor’s catering business, worked at the family-owned tavern (the White Birch), and served as a nanny for a family in Escanaba.
On May 29, 1965, she married Clarence Roberts and began their family in the Flat Rock area. Linda worked for the Gladstone School System until her retirement in 2007. In addition to her school job, she cooked at the Gladstone Golf Course during the summer and catered on weekends. She also managed the concession stand at Flat Rock for baseball games. Eventually, Linda launched her own catering business for weddings and special occasions, and prepared meals for grandstand entertainers at the U.P. State Fair. After her retirement, Linda volunteered at Bishop Noa through the RSVP Volunteer Program.
Linda was a member of the Holy Family Church and Altar Society.
Linda is survived by daughters, Barbie (Mike) Clairmont, and Joelle Roberts; son, Jamie (Julie) Roberts; grandchildren, Robbie (Shelly) Young, Gregory (Erin Chenier) Young, Katlyn (Tyler Skoglund) Roberts, and Devin Carley; great-grandchildren, Kyrsten Young, Gryffin and Oliver Skoglund, and Beau Carley. She is also survived by brothers, Ronald (Luella), Donald, Richard (Patty), Dale (Mary), and Martty Smith; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Tourangeau and Carol Roberts; and also numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Clarence; sisters-in-law, Darlene Smith and Mary Ann Sauve; brothers-in-law, Jimmy, Stanley, and Donald Roberts; and niece, Kimmy Roberts.
A service and burial will be held in June of 2025 as Linda wished.
A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.