Linda Jo Schaefer

Linda Jo (Legando) Schaefer, 75, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. She was born August 20, 1949, in Sandusky, OH, to Angelo and Elizabeth (Ballard) Legando. 

She is survived by her cherished husband of 54 years, Stephen Schaefer, whom she married December 7, 1970, in Huron, Ohio. They were inseparable. He was her everything and her knight in shining armour. Linda is the loving, devoted mother of Stephen (Kaylin) Schaefer of Sandusky, and Kelly (Robby Robertson) Schaefer of Marshall, NC. She was the heart and soul of the family with unwavering love for them. She is the proud and overly gracious grandmother of Olivia (Drew Crabtree) Schaefer, Madeline Schaefer, Benjamin Schaefer and Kyle Schaefer.      

Linda had a vivacious personality and always made people around her laugh. She served as an administrative assistant at Immaculate Conception School, for thirty years, where her warm personality and helpful nature touched the lives of countless students and staff. She always put others first. 

Linda’s vibrant spirit shined through in everything she did. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and a passionate life-long Ohio State Buckeyes fan. If she wasn’t with her family, time was spent enjoying the Academy Awards, and engaging in lively card games with her friends that were so special to her, and near and dear to her heart. A gifted storyteller with a quick wit, Linda was known as the life of the party, always ready with a smile and a captivating anecdote. She made friends wherever she went. Linda looked forward to outings with her friends, and birthday celebrations with her brothers and sisters. 

Most of all, Linda treasured her role as a grandmother, following her grandchildren's activities with support and unwavering love. Linda cherished her role as their “Mama”. She embraced every moment with Olivia, Maddie, Ben and Kyle, and was beyond proud to tell everyone she knew of all of their accomplishments. 

Linda is survived by her brothers and sisters, Tony (Sandy) Legando of Huron, Beth (Steve) Fisher of Huron, Tom (Laurie) Legando of Huron, Mary Taylor (Ed) of Huron, Jim (Abby) Legando of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, in-laws Jane and Kirk Horn of Bellevue, Cindy and Frank Deluca of Huron, and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her father and mother-in law, William and Elizabeth Schaefer, her older sisters, Karen Wilson and Sharon Harkelroad, and brothers and sisters-in-law Don Wilson, John Harkelroad, Ed Taylor, Bill and Carol Schaefer and Dave and Carol Schaefer.

The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks and appreciation for the caring staff at The Bellevue Hospital.

A memorial Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17 at Immaculate Conception Church, 231 E. Center Street, Bellevue.  Foos & Foos Funeral Service, Bellevue is assisting with arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception School Endowment, 231 E. Center St, Bellevue.