Wyona Lindner Oakes

A proud native San Franciscan, born October 19, 1923. Died at home supported by loving family February 21, 2012. Daughter of John and Irma Lindner. Dedicated wife of 67 years to Donald 'Toad' Oakes (deceased). Sweet mother of Joanne Simonds (deceased), Donna Cartee (George) of Boise, Idaho, and Corinne 'Corky' Oakes of Sacramento; devoted grandmother of James Harle MD (Sati) and Kimberly Rice (Scott) of Bellingham, WA, and Travis Templeman (Amber) of Sacramento; dotinggreat-grandmother of Nikhil and Neha Harle. Loving, zany sister of John Lindner (Elizabeth) of Pacifica, CA. Dear aunt of Scott Lindner (Linda) of Pacifica, CA and Chris Lindner (Cathy) of Vacaville, CA and their children. Loved by many, many friends near and far. Wyona's primary focus in life was her family-she prided herself as a homemaker first and foremost. Long before women's lib Wyona juggled being a wife and mother with returning to college, graduating in 1960 with a BA from CSU Hayward. She later earned a teaching credential. After raising her family she worked in a variety of industries: retail sales, library reference, English tutoring, and as a travel agent. Born with an unmatched wanderlust, Wyona travelled extensively in Europe, the British Isles, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the South Pacific. She volunteered in the U.S. and abroad with Planned Parenthood, Global Volunteers, Habitat for Humanity, and other organizations. A lifetime lover of the great outdoors, Wyona enjoyed hiking in the Sierra Nevada and overseas, boon-docking as '4 Wheel Wy' in the pre-burning man Black Rock Desert with her beloved 'desert bunch,' and assorted other adventurous endeavors too many to list. Wyona's insatiable curiosity and love of learning was boundless: politics, geology, geography, history, music, and meteorology-everything touching the human experience. Always probing, a conversation with Wyona was invariably an enriching, loving, challenging experience. She was a master of this give and take art. Known for her unpredictability, her flights of imagination and spontaneity, Wyona was, and always will be, a bright, free spirit. A memorial celebration of Wyona's wonder-filled life will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 11:00, a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 17th and L Streets, Sacramento. Remembrances may be sent to Doctors Without Borders, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the International Campaign for Tibet. W.F. Gormley & Sons, Funeral, Directors.