Recent Obituaries

It’s with a heavy heart that Linda Claypool Wowereit, 85, passed away in her sleep peacefully at her families home on May 23, 2025 after suffering with Alzheimer’s dementia. She was surrounded by her daughter, Kimberly Ballard and friends and family in Kent, WA where she had relocated too years ago.
She was born May 7, 1940 to Sam Cloe and Edith Hudson (Cloe) in Cassville, Arkansas. They moved to Santa Monica, CA when she was about 4 years old & settled into becoming a true “California Girl,” spending almost the entire rest of her life there in the CA sun she loved so much. She loved music & dance & spent time in school at Santa Monica High learning the flute and performing in their prestigious Drill Team. She went on to become a librarian at Santa Monica College & immersed herself in her love of reading sci fi and learning. She went on to have one daughter & worked at the Santa Monica Municipal Courthouse issuing marriage licenses to many celebrities! She loved that job! She lived a life of giving back to her community and helping stray/lost or abused animals. She donated time at many church soup kitchens & donated to local animal organizations & rescues like “The Cat House” in Santa Monica. She had a beautiful voice & sang in church choirs her entire life as well as sang to folks in convalescent & nursing homes. She often thought of others before even considering herself. Her career allowed her to be helpful to kids and assist them as needed. She loved working at the Los Angeles County School District, specifically West Chester High School Attendance Office. Her love of family & children allowed her to help as needed in the position- just like she had lived her life. It was a great fit for her & she shined! Since retirement she again lived a life of service to her church & faith- often having church rummage/craft/bake sales for much needed community donations & continuing to sing in several church choirs, barbershop quartets & nursing homes.
Her greatest loves were family, friends, cats & helping. Her greatest passions were her love of music & singing, crocheting, shopping, cats & animal welfare, cherry blossoms & anything her favorite color green. She was very elegant and loved anything beautiful or pretty. She was, by definition & character, a true “lady.” Always dressed to the nines with perfect hairdo, makeup and warm, friendly smile for all. She was such a sweet, gentle & kind soul and the world surely isn’t as bright without her shining light. She lived a life full of love, faith, forgiveness & always tried to make the world a better place for everyone & animals. She truly made the world a better place just being herself and we’re all better for knowing her, I believe.
She would kindly ask in lieu of flowers please kindly make a donation of any amount to your favorite animal or rescue organization or local Humane Society/ASPCA, where help is always needed. This was a huge part of her life & it would truly honor her.
She was just reunited to WA several years ago with her family and we are all devastated but recognize the tremendous blessing having her home, with her family. We love her always & will keep her memories in our hearts forever. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Wowereit Ballard,Kent, WA., Granddaughter, Krissina Ballard, Auburn, WA., SIL Grandson, Eric Prado, Auburn, WA., Great Grandsons, Remicio & Romeo Prado (apples of her eye💜) Auburn,WA., Best Friend of over 60years, Trudi Zubi, Eaglerock, CA., Dear Friends, Cheryl & Ron Fink, Los Angeles, CA., and many, many other friends & families she’s known and loved throughout her life.
Her love lives on in each she knew!