04/28/2026
Linda M. Schmidt
The Reverend Linda Schmidt
Linda Marie (Johnson) Schmidt was called home to be with her heavenly father on April 27, 2026 at home and surrounded by her family.
Linda was born on September 14, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the third of four girls to her parents Eleanor (Martens) and Oscar Johnson. Linda’s mother was a beautician and regularly sat the girls down so she could practice the new and upcoming hair cuts (much to their dismay). She attended Humboldt Park Elementary School and then Bay View High School in Milwaukee. She began her college career at UW-Whitewater, but transferred to UW-Stevens Point in 1966 when she followed her family in their move “up north.”
Linda began working in the kitchen at Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill and made a friend in Diane Schmidt. Diane invited Linda to a hayride where she introduced her to her brother, Earl. Just eight months later, on April 20, 1968, Earl and Linda were married. Linda went from a big city girl to a farmer’s wife, just like that. Early in their marriage they milked cows and farmed. Within the next four years they welcomed two children, Pamela and Amy. Linda always wanted a big family, but wasn’t sure she was going to get it as several years went by without another child. Eventually the floodgates opened and four more children were born: Andy, Stacy, Monica, and Mary.
As time went on, Earl became an over the road truck driver which left Linda to raise the kids and work on the farm. By 1982 the family was ready to try something different and bought the business that would become Schmidt’s Septic Service. Earl and Linda built and ran the business together for 40 years and it is now owned and operated by their son, Andy.
Linda was a hard worker and a strong woman. She led both Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops when her children were young. She sewed countless formal dresses for her five daughters, dolls and doll clothing, jeans for her long-legged children, and outfits for herself and her kids when they couldn’t afford to buy anything new. She was known for saying “The Lord will provide,” especially in tough times. Her very strong faith led her to becoming a Deacon in the Episcopal church. She was ordained in 2003 and served the Episcopal churches in Tomahawk, Antigo and Merrill, with Ascension Episcopal church in Merrill being her home church. Early in her ministry she started the Neighbor to Neighbor program in Merrill. She was also very passionate about youth ministry at the church and had a positive impact on many kids throughout the years. She was awarded the Bishop’s Cross in recognition of her work at the church.
Family was extremely important to Linda and she enjoyed spending time with her sisters and sisters-in-law, usually with many children around. She loved being a mother, even when it meant driving ten miles into town several times a day to get the kids where they needed to go. She was the mom who would keep the slider door on the van open to cool us off in the summer, and was always willing to give friends rides home.
In her later years, Linda battled dementia. This terrible and unforgiving disease stripped her of herself in many ways, but in some ways she still managed to shine through. She was quick to laugh, loved to do silly dances, was always looking for anything chocolate, and would never turn down ice cream. Her greatest passion had always been to be a mother (and later a grandmother and great-grandmother), and even into her last days she was focused on any little ones in the room. She is so loved and will be terribly missed by so many.
Linda is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Earl; her children Pamela (Bill) Pettijohn of Pueblo, CO, Amy (Eric) Heimerl of Merrill, WI, Andy Schmidt of Merrill,WI, Stacy (Kurt) Chapman of West Salem, WI, Monica Schmidt (Kelly Swiger) of West Des Moines, IA, Mary (Greg) Rajek of Rogersville, MO; her sisters Nancy Schulz of Tampa, FL, Kathleen (Mike) Slavin of Merrill, WI, and Joy Anderson of Rothschild, WI; her grandchildren McKenzie Heimerl, William Schmidt (Allison Chapman), Madeline (Nick) Bowe, Elijah (Nyomie) Heimerl, Wade (Jill Wright) Pettijohn, Clay Pettijohn, Owen Schmidt, Isaac Schmidt, Max Rajek, and Clara Rajek; her great-grandchildren Liam, Vingette, Bowde, Creed, and Ellyse; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Eleanor; her sisters-in-law Diane Pichelman and Elvera Neumann; her brothers-in-law John Anderson, Rod Picheman, and William (Peanuts) Neumann; her nephews John Stevenson, Brad Anderson, and Darren Neumann; and niece Heidi Marie Corroo.
A funeral service will be held at Ascension Episcopal Church in Merrill on Saturday, May 9th at 1:00 pm, The Reverend Mother Meredyth Albright presiding. Burial will be in Merrill Memorial Cemetery directly following. There will be a visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm on Friday, May 8th at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 301 Eagle Dr., Merrill and from 11:00-1:00 before the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Ascension Episcopal Church, Saint Vincent DePaul, or a local charity of your choice. Special thanks to all the caregivers from the Interim Hospice team, Aspirus Merrill Hospital, and Bell Tower, especially Jake, Nou, Kelly, Hannah, Ari, Heather, and Cassie. Thank you for supporting mom and our family through her final months.
Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com
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