Shawn LaRue Lindquist, 69, of Springfield, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

She was born April 12, 1957, in Carrollton, Illinois. Her father taught school, and the family moved often across the state before settling in Jacksonville, where Shawn graduated from Jacksonville High School.

On June 14, 1980, she married Jeffrey Lindquist at Calvary Temple in Springfield. They had been married forty-six years.

Shawn made a home, and that was her work and her calling for more than four decades; for a season she also worked in home healthcare as a CNA. Her son Nathan called her "gentle mom" when he was young, and the name stuck because it was accurate. She was funny and kind and quick to put herself last. Her laugh went through a room and took everyone in it along.

She loved her family first and most. She loved her cat Bella, home-cooked comfort food, shopping, and a good detective story. She was up early in the mornings to watch The Rifleman, and in the evenings she would come into the bedroom, announce "it's my turn," and settle in with Jeff to watch Homicide Hunter. She liked Universal monster movies — The Mummy above the rest — white tigers, and riding along in the car with nowhere in particular to be.

Her grandchildren, Annelise and Noah, had special names only she used for them, and she kept them regularly and gladly. After Annelise was born, the family went out to eat and Shawn announced to the waitress, unprompted, "this is our first grandchild!"

When someone was having a hard time, she told them, "This too shall pass."

Over the years Shawn worshiped at Calvary Temple, Christ Fellowship Church, and Hope Evangelical Free Church, then at Southern View Chapel for more than twenty years, and most recently at Exodus Church, where she was a member. She spoke openly about her faith and would not have wanted this notice to close without saying plainly what she believed: that Jesus Christ died in her place, bearing the punishment her sins deserved, and that those who trust in Him are forgiven.

She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Lindquist of Springfield; her daughter, Heather Lindquist of Springfield; her son, Nathan Lindquist (Malissa) of Rochester; her grandchildren, Annelise and Noah Lindquist of Rochester; and her sister, Marcia Simpson of Harrisburg.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Sheryl Werries, and her brothers, Ron and Rick Williams.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Exodus Church, 2450 Taylor Avenue, Springfield, with a memorial service following at 5 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Exodus Church.