Lillian E Shoemaker

Our beloved wife, mom, grandma, and sister, Lillian Eubanks Shoemaker, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 85 on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in Preston, Idaho. Lin was born to Rosemary Fowler Eubanks and Robert Eubanks on July 13, 1939, in Walla Walla, WA. She was known affectionately by many of her family members as Linnie. Lin is survived by her husband and eternal companion, Charles Shoemaker, Children Mindy Shoemaker, Amy Pepper(Jason), Matthew Shoemaker (Keri), Paul Shoemaker (Denise), Sister Elizabeth McCracken (Dan) as well as six grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (and one more on the way). Lin grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, and also spent time in Dayton, Washington, with Aunt Helen Dudley. She graduated from Walla Walla High School, where she served as a sponsor for the ROTC. Lin attended Cottey College for Women, sponsored by the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO International), a sisterhood women’s group in Nevada, MO. She was a lifelong supporter of the PEO organization. She met her husband, Charles Shoemaker, while they were both attending Washington State University in Pullman. They fell in love and were married on December 20, 1959, in Walla Walla. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 1971.

Lin and Chuck lived in Clarkston, Washington; Seattle, Washington; Yakima, Washington; Pullman, Washington; Sunnyside, Washington; Granger, Washington; Dayton, Washington; and Preston, Idaho. Lin worked as a legal secretary in Chuck’s office. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at the local elementary school in Sunnyside. She grew up as an avid competitive snow skier at Spout Springs ski area near Walla Walla. She skied a lot with her father, Bob Eubanks. Lin and Chuck joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970. She served faithfully in the church all of her life in multiple callings. After having two boys, Paul and Matt, Chuck and Lin felt like their family wasn’t complete. In 1972, they had the wonderful blessing of bringing twins Mindy and Amy into their family by adoption from Korea. Lin’s life was largely centered around her family and her children. She was a staunch advocate for each of her kids as they grew and faced life’s challenges. She celebrated their accomplishments, helped them through rough times, and provided loving guidance. She also made extra efforts to create special times for her grandchildren. Lin will always be remembered for creating a loving home for her family. Lin loved the outdoors; she took her children on multiple backpacking and camping outings and instilled in them a love and respect for nature and the outdoors. She enjoyed photography, along with pictures of her family and animals; she especially loved taking photos of flowers and the lighthouse in Newport, Oregon. She loved spending time at the beach near Newport, Oregon, for family vacations. Lin was heavily involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Bluebirds, and church girls' camps, in large part to encourage her daughters and sons in their growth and development. Lin was a lover of animals, especially cats and dogs, but she also brought many other species of animals into the family. Lin also enjoyed sewing, genealogy, family history, and scrapbooking. A memorial for Lin will be held Friday, December 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Preston North Stake Center at 155 North 200 West in Preston, Idaho. A viewing will be held before the service from 09:30 to 10:30 a.m. Services can be viewed via the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92319974807

Lin will be buried at Franklin Cemetery in Preston, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food bank. To share a favorite memory of Lin or to offer condolences to the family, please leave a tribute on this page.