Linda Lou (Rader) Vargas, 78, died Monday March 30, 2026 at her home in Roseville, CA.
She was born February 3, 1948 in Colorado, the daughter of Howard and Otilda (DeWald) Rader. The family moved to Hays, KS in 1959. After graduating from Hays High School in 1966, she moved to Sacramento, CA where she met and married Frank Vargas. Despite later divorcing, Linda and Frank remained life-long friends until his death in 2020.
She retired from her career of 31 years with the Department of Motor Vehicles of California and started a new career as devoted grandmother to her two beautiful granddaughters. She was an active volunteer at the girls' elementary school, always there for activities and special events and was a member of the Sierra Club for many years. Linda loved animals, enjoyed quilting, antiquing, and amassing hundreds of Scottish terrier collectibles and mostly, she cherished time with family especially at their mountain cabin. Her loved ones will always cherish the memories of her many lively and unforgettable stories of her younger years.
She is survived by daughter Colleen (Vargas) Weis and husband George and their daughters Harper and Skylar of Roseville, CA; sisters Shirley Sawyer of Sandwich, MA, Nancy Conly, Brush Prairie WA, Marie Lowman and husband Brad of Forestdale, MA; brothers Ronald Rader and wife Claudia of Topeka, Ks, Robert Rader and wife Gloria, Don Rader and Roger Rader all of Hays, Ks and Philip Rader and wife Wendy of Minnetonka, MN, many nieces and nephews and her pet dog Nutmeg.
She is preceded in death by her parents, former husband Frank, a brother Larry Rader and brothers-inlaw Gene Slaigel, Richard Sawyer and Dean Conly.
Per Linda's wishes, her remains have been cremated and she will finally rest in Hays where she always considered to be home. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Linda's Life from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at the Venue at Thirsty's in Hays on Monday July 13, 2026.