Linda S. Schmidt

Linda S. Schmidt, 52, of Geneseo, Director of Music and Worship at First Lutheran Church, passed away on December 10, 2018, at Hammond Henry Hospital. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo. Pastors Matt & Laura Kamprath, and Bishop Jeff Clements will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, at the church. Cremation will follow funeral services and a private inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Geneseo - Worship & Music Ministry. Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with these arrangements.

Linda was born on March 31, 1966, the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Winkler) Joy, in Cedar Rapids, IA. She is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Luther College in Decorah, IA, and received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Music Education from Concordia University in River Forest, IL. Linda was united in marriage to Clifford J. Schmidt on January 2, 1993, in Cedar Rapids. She was currently a Deacon and Minister of Music and Worship at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo. Linda served congregations in Madison, WI, Clinton, IA and Kenosha, WI, for a total of 30 years, prior to her time here in Geneseo with First Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Linda’s passion was music, and sharing her talents with children and others was her joy! She enjoyed flower gardening and traveling with her husband Cliff and their children. They especially loved to travel to the ocean and visit sandy beaches together. Linda adored her family, and was so very dedicated to them. The sound of her music and joyous spirit will be missed.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Cliff, son, Andrew Schmidt, daughter, Natalya Schmidt, all of Geneseo, brother, Brian (Kris) Joy, and two nephews, Nathan and Matthew Joy, of Altoona, IA.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents.