Linda K. Avery

Linda K. Avery, lifelong Whitman County resident, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024, surrounded by loving family at the Whitman Hospital in Colfax. She was 79. A private service for the family will take place at the ocean shore with a final resting place in the Colfax Cemetery.

Linda was born April 24, 1945, in Colfax to Kenneth and Maxine (Scottie) Silvey. She grew up in Colfax along with her older sister Sharon. As a teenager, Linda became quite an accomplished swimmer. She loved being in the water. Linda qualified for the Junior Olympics and went on to become the National Champion in the 440 event. Linda graduated from Colfax High School in 1963, and then attended business school in Spokane for a period of time. She married Bud Ackerman in January 1964 after attending high school together. Bud and Linda owned Colfax Sheet Metal and she was right by his side helping with the books and secretarial duties. They started their family a short time later when daughter Jodi was born in 1965 and then son Scott in 1968. They liked to go snowmobiling and bowling together. Linda and Bud were later divorced and she moved to Endicott where the kids completed school. She worked at the Endicott grocery store and then at Whitman Hospital as a surgery tech, X-ray tech as well as managing central supplies. Linda achieved her 30 year pin in 2007 from Whitman Hospital before retiring.

Linda was a very generous and giving person. She loved everybody. This was evident when she opened her home to a niece and a nephew from Spokane. They came and lived with Linda, Jodi and Scott in Endicott and she raised them as her own; helping them out of a tough situation in Spokane. Tami and Rob are so very grateful for her love and support.

Once the kids were out of school she moved back to Colfax. She met Allen Avery in 1988 and they have been together ever since. She loved trips to the Midwest to see his children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed trips to the coast and she absolutely loved the ocean and the beach. Linda and Allen made diamond willow lamps and walking sticks together and often displayed their talents at area markets. They liked to go to the casino too. After many happy years together they officially tied the knot in Plummer, Idaho in 2018. Her greatest love had to be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and teaching them "real life stuff". She was selfless and would give the shirt off her back to anyone if they needed it. She accepted everybody and she was full of love. She never missed an event that the grandkids were involved in.

Linda's health had been declining over the last four years or so and time spent with family was very precious to her. She is survived by her husband Allen at their Colfax home; daughter Jodi Dial (Sam) in Moscow, Idaho, a son Scott Ackerman (Lori) in Colfax; stepsons Gannon (Crystalie) in Santee, Neb .; Shane in Santee, Neb .; and two step daughters Toni Kyriss (Mike) in Sioux City, Iowa ; and Tessa Avery (Chris Boyd) in Niobrara, Neb .; her grandchildren Jake Ackerman, Caleb Bravard (Kimberly), Hunter Weitze (Sarah), Chance Weitze (Harli); Shauna Avery, Winona Avery, Justin Avery, Jhett Avery, Hailey Kyriss, Cody Kyriss, Shelby Coffman, Isabella Boyd along with great-grandchildren Oakley, Scotty, Braxton, Bud, Xander, Carter, and soon to be two more. Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sharon. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Whitman Hospital Auxiliary, 1200 W. Fairview, Colfax, WA. 99111. On-line guest book is at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family.