Linnea Soderlund Coblentz, 88

Linnea Soderlund Coblentz, 88, was received in the arms of her Lord on December 4, 2018. She was born on May 27, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois; a daughter of the late Carl Edward and Elizabeth Frances Soderlund.

She married Donald “Don” Raymond Coblentz on January 22, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. Their first child, Donald Michael Coblentz, was born in Chicago. They moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1957 and had three more children: Caryllynn, Jo Anne, and Elizabeth Frances.

She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher. She embraced life in every sense of the word. Besides family, she had a passion for many things including sailing, dancing, reading, traveling, exercising, Catholicism and, most of all, her many close friends. She was a pioneer in her own right. She worked full-time, raised four children and was in the first graduating class of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 1965. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education and continued her education at FAU and earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling. In 1968, FAU opened a developmental research school, Alexander. D. Henderson University School. Linnea became its director of physical education and a team coach for the next twenty-five years. She was also an Adjunct Physical Education Professor at FAU.

After retiring from FAU, she and Don moved to Sebastian, Florida and lived there for fifteen years. In 2007 they moved to Etowah, NC.

She is survived by her husband Don of 63 years (January 22, 2019, would have marked their 64th wedding anniversary); four children: Donald Michael Coblentz, Caryllynn Coblentz, JoAnne Coblentz Williams, and Elizabeth Frances Coblentz; six grandchildren: Josh Yost, Kandi Yost, Brian Michael Coblentz and his wife Amy Coblentz, Michael Daniel Coblentz, Grayson Michael Coblentz, Danielle Linnea Williams , Karis Elizabeth Coblentz , Caden Edward Coblentz; five great grandchildren: Kayla Anne Coblentz, Kylie Brooke Coblentz, Hannah Yost, Camden Yost, and Sumter Yost; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be two services held. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Martin officiating. Another memorial service will be held Friday, January 4, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 370 SW 3rd Street, Boca Raton, Fl 33432.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.