Malinda F. Stilabower

Linda Stilabower, 91, died New Year’s Day at Hidden Lake Care Center after a short battle with cancer. She was born June 6, 1921 in Dade County, Missouri, the daughter of Samuel and Blanche Divine. She graduated from Golden City High School in 1938. In 1941, she married George W. Stilabower in Elkton, MD. They lived in Patterson, NJ, where he worked for Wright Aeronautical. They returned to the Lamar area in August 1941. During those years their two daughters were born (Sandra in 1945 and Karen in 1947). They moved to Chillicothe, MO in 1951.  Linda and her friend, Lorene Stambach, owned and operated the House of Fabric in Chillicothe from 1957 to 1977. During that time Linda worked actively with 4-H clubs and home economics classes throughout several counties surrounding Chillicothe. In 1976, they were blessed with the arrival of their only grandson, Andy.  In 1977 George retired , Linda & Lorene sold their business and George & Linda moved to the Lake of the Ozarks. Linda, who loved to be around people, continued to work until she was 75. During those years, she also volunteered for Tall in the Saddle, a horse riding program for disabled youth. She was an excellent seamstress, cook and loved growing flowers and entertaining. .  On weekends, their house at the Lake was always full of family & friends having a good time--boating, skiing, fishing, eating. Champagne breakfasts on the pontoon and fish fries were frequent activities. In July 2012, she and George moved to a retirement apartment in Raytown. In November, she was diagnosed with cancer and spent her remaining days at Hidden Lake Care Center in Raytown. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Virgil and Sammy Divine, her sister Mary (Sis) Clements, and her daughter, Sandra. She is survived by her husband, George of Raytown; her daughter Karen and her husband Allan of Raytown; son-in-law Joe Caraway of Kansas City; grandson, Andy Caraway and his partner Gary of Overland Park, KS; her sister, Claude Dean McDonald Budd of Golden City, MO; and many loving and caring nieces & nephews. Graveside services will be Saturday, Jan. 5 at Morehead Cemetery, 6 miles East of Lamar and a celebration of her life will be Sunday, Jan. 6 at Elliott Place Apartments, 7420 Maple Avenue, Bldg. 2, Raytown, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, 9921 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City MO 64114.