Many High Desert residents are mourning the death of Linda Schlenz, a former Lucerne Valley High School teacher who loved her husband, family, students and “sharing God’s love.”
Linda died on April 2, 2026, a few years after she and her husband, Pastor Gary Schlenz, retired and moved to Priest River, in Northern Idaho.
Linda was born on March 28, 1959, to Gary and Carol Freeman in San Bernardino.
Linda and Gary met when they were 13 years old. May 18, 2026, would have marked 47 years of marriage.
Linda’s gift
Linda’s gift was inviting people to experience God’s love, said Gary, who shared how he couldn’t leave Linda alone for five minutes at an airport without finding someone in his chair telling Linda their life story.
Gary shared that Linda “exuded the love of God” and she loved people, especially children and young people.
Besides teaching school, Linda co-pastored a church in Lucerne Valley alongside Gary for 31 years.
Gary said Linda loved God, teaching Sunday children’s church, and her 21-year career teaching children at Lucerne Valley Unified School District.
Gary said God showed His love to him through Linda for 54 years of his life.
Waking up in Heaven
“Linda passed from this life through atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia which led to sudden cardiac death,” said Gary, 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,” Gary said.
Gary said sudden cardiac death is usually painless, with a moment of disorientation. “Linda basically went to sleep here” to wake up in heaven.
A life of teaching
Gary also served the school district, offering his talents as an instructional aide and versatile solution-finder.
He was named Classified Employee of the Month in November 2018, and made a difference not only in the classroom but also at school activities and athletic events, district officials said.
Gary helped out setting up the sound systems at the gymnasium and the football stadium. His columns also appeared in the Lucerne Valley Leader and the Daily Press.
A life of sacrifice
Bill Peterson, a longtime member of Crossroads Chapel Church, said the Schlenzes were always there for their congregation.
He said when Crossroads Chapel Church took over the church property from a previous congregation, the facilities needed a lot of repairs.
The Schlenzes decided to move out of their home and into the new church facility to devote all of their available time to improvements, Peterson said.
The members also stepped up and helped move from their original church across from Pioneer Park to the new location near the post office, he added.
“I haven’t seen anyone sacrifice like those two have,” Peterson said.
Fighting the good fight
During a small memorial in Idaho to address his wife’s sudden death, Gary cited Isaiah 57:1 from the Bible, which speaks of life, death, good, evil, and how “those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.”
Gary also said that Linda ran the race the Apostle 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,” Gary said.
Remembering Linda
Linda Schlenz is survived by her husband, Gary Schlenz, son Nathaniel Schlenz, and daughter Christy Ellis, with their spouses and children. Also, her sister, Ruth Freeman Sapien, and a “beautiful extended family.”
A planned memorial service 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, district officials said.
“Linda’s legacy as an educator, mentor, and servant to the Lucerne Valley community continues to be reflected in the many lives she touched,” Superintendent Peter Livingston said. “We hope this time together will allow space for reflection, gratitude, and support for one another.”
Linda’s memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, in the Sgt. Brian L. Walker Memorial Gymnasium at Lucerne Valley Middle/High School, 33233 Rabbit Springs Road, Lucerne Valley.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Beloved Lucerne Valley teacher, Linda Schlenz, to be remembered
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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