Mrs. Linda Schlenz, second from left, with former students Lillianna Forsythe and Ian Collins, who won awards presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5551. Also pictured is VFW event organizer Herald Keesee. File photo
STAFF REPORT
April 27, 2026, 12:44 p.m. PT
Popular Lucerne Valley High School teacher Linda Schlenz passed away on April 2, 2026, just a few years after she and her husband Gary Schlenz retired and moved to Idaho.
“Linda passed from this life through Atrial Fibrillation a type of arrhythmia which led to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD),” said Gary Schlenz, who served as pastor of two Lucerne Valley churches alongside his wife. “In 50% of these cases there is no associated cause. I say ‘through’ because that was not the cause, as much as it was the method God used to call her home. SCD is usually painless with a moment of disorientation. Linda basically went to sleep here to wake in heaven.”
She was born on March 28, 1959 to Gary and Carol Freeman in San Bernardino. Linda graduated to Heaven on April 2, 2026 in Priest River, ID.
Linda and Gary met when they were 13. May 18 would have marked 47 years of marriage.
“She exuded the love of God and she loved people, especially young people and children,” he said. “She taught 21 years at Lucerne Valley Unified School district and loved it. She taught Sunday children’s church and loved it. I couldn’t leave Linda alone for five minutes at an airport without finding someone in my chair telling Linda their life story. God showed His love to me through her for 54 years of my life. That was Linda’s gift, she invited people to experience God’s love.”
Linda and Gary Schlenz, the pastor of Crossroads Chapel Church and also a former member of the Lucerne Valley USD team, were recognized for serving the church congregation for 35 years. PROVIDED PHOTO
LINDA SCHLENZ TAUGHT IN LUCERNE VALLEY FOR 21 YEARS
Linda taught High School in Lucerne Valley, CA for 21 years, and pastored with her husband in Lucerne Valley for 31 years.
“The first time I met Linda Schlenz was my first day working for Lucerne Valley Unified and it was my first day as an administrator,” former Middle/High School Co-Principal Kelly Boeing said when Linda was named a Lucerne Valley USD Employee of the Month in February of 2022. “I was afraid to even speak, that the audible beating of my heart would escape trampling any timid words, revealing my fear and insecurity on my first day. The first thing that I noticed about Linda was her smile, so completely genuine and comforting and contagious that for a good long moment all my trepidations fell by the wayside and I had no choice but to smile back. I wonder how many countless students has she done this for?”
Gary Schlenz also served the school district, offering his talents as an instructional aide. A versatile solution-finder, Gary Schlenz he was named classified Employee of the Month November of 2018. He made a difference not only in the classroom but he was often present at school activities and athletic events. Gary helped out setting up the sound systems at both the gymnasium and the football stadium. Also, Gary Schlenz was a columnist for the Leader and Daily Press newspapers.
Bill Peterson, a longtime member of Crossroads Chapel Church, says the Schlenzes were always there for their congregation. When the Crossroads Chapel Church took over the church property from a previous congregation, the facilities needed a lot of repairs. So the Schlenzes moved out of their own home and into the new church facility to devote all of their available time to improvements. The members also stepped up and helped move from their original church across from Pioneer Park to the new location near the post office.
“I haven’t seen anyone sacrifice like those two have,” Peterson said.
Mrs. Schlenz was a popular English teacher at Lucerne Valley High School. FILE PHOTO/PETER DAY
Pastor Schlenz cited Isaiah 57:1 (NLT) during a small memorial in Idaho to address his wife’s sudden passing: “Good people pass away; The godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” He also said that Linda ran the race Paul describes in 2 Timothy fighting the good fight, keeping the faith and finishing well. “She was known for her joyful personality, her smile that would light up the room, and for exemplifying what it means to love God and others in all aspects of life; doing everything for the glory of God.”
Linda Schlenz is survived by her husband, Gary Schlenz, son Nathaniel Schlenz, daughter Christy Ellis with their spouses and children, sister Ruth Freeman Sapien, and beautiful extended family.
A memorial service for Linda will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sgt. Brian L. Walker Memorial Gymnasium at Lucerne Valley Middle/High School. This gathering will provide an opportunity for colleagues, former students, families, and community members to come together in remembrance of Linda’s life and the lasting impact she had on so many.
The service is open to all who knew and loved Linda. I have been in contact with her husband, Pastor Gary Schlenz, and he has asked that we share this information broadly so that anyone who wishes to attend has the opportunity to do so.
“Linda’s legacy as an educator, mentor, and servant to the Lucerne Valley community continues to be reflected in the many lives she touched. We hope this time together will allow space for reflection, gratitude, and support for one another.”