Darcy Lynn Schacher
courtesy photo
Darcy Schacher
POLSON — Darcy entered the world raring to go, full throttle and pedal to the metal, a pure joy that completed the family of Skip and Ruthann Schacher. She was a delightful firecracker.
Darcy lived and loved life to its fullest. “Here today, gone tomorrow. Make the best of everything. Have fun.” These were Darcy’s words, the words she lived by and her philosophy and boy did she live it.
At age 9 months old she won a “Most Beautiful Baby” contest. Tap dancing was her next adventure and she and her friend Mary Jean Wunderlich were part of a dance troupe that performed on the “Showboat” at a Flathead Lake Festival when they were about 9 years old. In the third or fourth grade there was a nose-to-nose spelling bee down to the wire against Matt Jore that he won on the word “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Piano, aerobics, gymnastic and guitar lessons followed.
Her father Skip and mother Ruthann impressed on Darcy the importance of education and she took this to heart. Her Pop Mings taught her to read at age 3 and throughout her life she read everything she could get her hands on. Education was important to her, that is, right behind cheerleading. From grades eight through four years of high school and two years of college she cheered. She cheered behind Ronan High School’s “Fighting Chiefs” school band, was in the marching band (clarinet), pep band (flute and piccolo), jazz band (keyboard), and a member of every club available – National Honor Society, Ronan High School student government and inducted into the “Who’s Who of American High School seniors - Class of 1980.” Through all this she achieved a GPA that kept her in the top 10 percentile of her graduating class. Several scholarships allowed her to pursue a higher education at Rapid City College. After two years of college she took a two-year sabbatical in Keystone, South Dakota. There she was on the city council and elected secretary/treasurer. After working three jobs at the same time, and two years of fun, games and hard work, Darcy returned to Big Sky Country and enrolled in the University of Montana where she excelled and completed her education. She graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science. Darcy served as president of Mortar Board and was also a member of the UM student government. She and her “bestest” friend Andy Long were instrumental in implementing the first campus security program at the University of Montana.
Darcy then moved to and lived in Newport Beach and continued her education getting a degree in health and nutrition at Cal-Poly along with a degree and certification in physical education and personal training at UC Long Beach. For eight years she had lots of fun working as a certified fitness trainer for famous and infamous personalities in Los Angeles. She then worked at Double Eagle Resort in June Lake, California, as a certified fitness trainer and “jack of all trades.” She was on the organizing committee for the world famous Mule-Skinner Days in Bishop, California.
Diversity should have been her middle name as her achievements, goals and memory-making events were vast. At age 17 she was a finalist in the Lake County Jr. Miss contest, her talent being an original piano solo arrangement of the number one hit “Beth” by the group Kiss. At age 18 she had the privilege and honor of presenting the American flag at the Metra in Billings at the opening ceremonies for the state basketball tournament. She won a dance contest on the Don Ho Show in Hawaii; swam with the stingrays in the Caymen Islands; biked in Jamaica; and completed the Los Angeles marathon with her mother on a tandem bicycle in 1998. Darcy participated in triathlons in Los Angeles, and once won a second place award and on another occasion a third place award. She danced with Barry Manilow at his concert in Rapid City and was a member of the summer Missoula Symphony Orchestra during her days at University of Montana. She swam like a fish, ran like the wind, fished like a pro and skied like a bird and attended every AC/DC concert available since they were her absolute favorite.
Darcy found her perfect mate in Steven L. Lobdell in Polson. He completed her life and although they never married they were truly in love. For seven years Steve was the most caring, considerate and loving companion anyone could ask for. He was Darcy’s principle personal caregiver for her last three years and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He was kind, gentle and always loving, like a son to Skip and Ruthann.
Darcy Lynn Schacher, forever 21, passed over on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Chaplain John Payne, Darcy’s Dad and Mom, fiancé Steve and many of the hospital’s caring staff members were there as she embarked on her new life and adventures in God’s arms. She is at peace at last in God’s presence. We hope He’s ready for Darcy and has lots of AD/DC with the player turned up loud.
Waiting impatiently for her to come be bopping through the pearly gates will be special people: Pop Walter Darcy and Nan Lydia Stricker Mings; Pop John and Lydia Yearger Schacher; and Godfather Uncle “Dutch” Bob Mings and first love Johnny McChesnie; Eunice James and Phyllis and Lori.
Surviors are: Parents Kenneth (Skip) and Ruthann (Mings) Schacher; fiancé Stephen L. Lobdell; Uncle Walter James and Aunt Pat Mings of Idaho Falls, Idaho; cousins Dr. Susan Mings of Seattle, Washington; James and Sandra Mings LaMar of Vermont; and Dr. Steven and Michelle Mings of Boise, Idaho; Uncle George; Godmother Aunt Mary Lynn Merseal of Missoula; and Uncle Lenny and Aunt Sandi Schacher of Seattle, Washington, and cousins Robby Schacher and Ronda Schacher of Kent, Washington.
Darcy had lots of friends, too numerous to list. She just seemed to love everyone and everything, in particular: Andy, Karen, Carla, Stacy, Janet, Ward, Mary, Ericka, and so many others and not to be forgotten her fuzzy friends MikiJo and Daizee.
Go Chiefs. Go Griz.
Memorial donations may be made in Darcy’s name to Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 36251 North Reservoir Road, Polson, MT 59860, or to the Ronan Library.
