Linda Louise Hartley passed away in Carmel, Indiana on November 20, 2025 from a brain bleed that occurred after a fall.

On July 11, 1949, Robert Wesley and Marilyn Starr (Morse) Hartley welcomed a beautiful daughter, Linda, into the world. The next year brother Bobby came along, and 8 years later, Lael was born.

Linda grew up in Salem, Oregon in Four Corners, and graduated from North Salem High School. She attended the University of Oregon but left to pursue adventure in Hawaii. Inspired by the TV show “Hawaiian Eye”, at 19 she boarded a plane bound for Honolulu, much to the chagrin of her parents, landing in August of 1968. Employed by Ann White and Associates Public Relations firm and later Luman Nevels of Nevels and Chang law firm, she loved her work and found joy and humor in all things. It was one of the happiest times of her life, chasing adventure, being on her own, sharing a fun life with her roommates, falling in love and traveling.

Upon return to her Salem home, she went to work for the Federal Highway office as a clerk, and there met and married her former husband Caleb Frobig on April 28, 1973. They lived in Michigan, Virginia, Salem, and Newburg, Oregon. She worked for an engineering firm, as a secretary for the Methodist churches they attended, for Hickory Farms of Ohio, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles during High School, and in sales while her children were young.

With a bequest from her grandmother Georgia Leanna Morse, Linda purchased a sewing machine which changed her trajectory. She taught herself how to sew and quilt. She worked for Whitlocks Sewing and Vacuum in Salem where she sold machines and taught people how to use them. Her creativity and success in sales led to the opening of her dream store, “Sew Much More!” in McMinnville’s historic district with a Husqvarna Viking Dealership, fabric, repairs, vacuums and notions. She had a bent for all things mechanical and could always figure out how things worked and often was heard saying, “tell me what it’s doing”, followed by the fix.

She went to work for Viking Distributors in Medford and traveled the Northwest Region giving workshops, selling, mentoring store owners and driving a large van containing a Body Scanner which allowed mapping of an imperfect body shape and created personalized patterns.

In 2006 she moved to Anchorage, Alaska and her parents followed in 2007, to be near Lael and family. She helped market and manage McKinley Tower Apartments from 2006 – 2014. She retired and was resident manager of George Sullivan Manor until her move to Indiana to be closer to her sons and their families in 2022.

Linda helped take care of her grandmother and parents in their old age and had a heart for family. She was caring, funny, creative, and full of laughter and life. She enjoyed many types of music, especially vocals; loved Hawaii, little children, her puppy Maizy, a good laugh, a warm cup of coffee, dining “out”, time spent with good friends and family, traveling, and sewing. She had style and quick wit. She was one of a kind, loyal and is greatly missed.

Linda was preceded in death by her dad Robert Wesley Hartley; her mother Marilyn Starr Morse Hartley; and cousin Leanna Lynn Morse Hoffman. Linda is survived by her son Andrew Reynold Frobig of Fargo, ND (Samantha), son Benjamin Dean Frobig of Carmel, IN (Leslie) and granddaughters Kendall and Ellie Frobig. She was the beloved sister of Robert William Hartley of Prineville, Oregon (Pamela); and Lael Elizabeth Marlow of Anchorage, Alaska (Marc). She was a treasured aunt to Brenton Dean Hartley, Elliott Bishop Marlow (Martha), Gregory Dean Marlow (Kristina), Abigail Rose Schutz (Isaac) and Elizabeth Anne Sheffrey (David). She leaves 5 cousins and 11 grand nieces and nephews.

According to Linda’s wishes, her ashes will be spread in Hawaii. A local celebration of life will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 4 p.m. at Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin Street, Anchorage, Alaska. The placing of ashes will take place on July 11th, 2026 on Oahu. A celebration of life will take place at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem, Oregon on August 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall. Memorials In remembrance of Linda can be directed to the Hospice Care in your area.