Linda Gettle Schmidt (December 3, 1947 - January 10, 2026)

Linda Myrtle Gettle Schmidt, 78, died peacefully on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Born December 3, 1947, in Vinton, Iowa, to Herbert and Helen (Cepelak) Gettle, Linda was raised on her mother's family farm near Elberon, where she developed a lifelong love of flowers, animals, and country living.

After high school, Linda attended the University of Minnesota before transferring to St. Paul Bible College. While attending classes, she worked as a waitress and met Richard Schmidt. They were married on March 15, 1969, and had two children, Kristin and Brian. Linda and Richard later divorced in 1987.

In 1984, Linda returned to St. Paul Bible College and completed her bachelor's degree in 1985 while working two jobs and raising her children. She later pursued master's studies in Christian education at Bethel Seminary and in gerontology.

Linda dedicated much of her career to Christian Education, serving as a Christian educator at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran and Knox Presbyterian in Minneapolis, Christ Lutheran in Glencoe, and Bethlehem United Methodist in Hutchinson. Later in life, she found great joy working as a librarian at Fisher Public School and as a paraprofessional at Schroeder Middle School.

In 1991, Linda met Vern Damm, and they were married on September 12, 1992. Together they settled on an eleven-acre farm near Stewart, Minnesota, which Linda lovingly restored and filled with gardens and animals. She often referred to it as her dream home. Linda and Vern later divorced in 2009.

In 2013, Linda moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to be closer to her grandchildren. In August 2025, Linda and her daughter Kristin moved to Calmar, Iowa, to be near her son and daughter-in-law, who had relocated to Decorah earlier that summer. Linda's faith sustained her throughout her life and during her battle with ovarian cancer.
She is survived by her children, Kristin Schmidt of Calmar, Iowa, and Brian (Kristen) Larsen-Schmidt of Decorah, Iowa; her grandchildren, Gracia and Micah Larsen-Schmidt; and her siblings, Doug (Christy) Gettle of Duluth, Jeanne (Jon) Larson of Westby, Richard (Linda) Gettle of Elberon, and Randy Gettle of North Mankato. She was preceded in death by her parents.

During her final week, all four of her siblings were able to visit. On her last night, she was surrounded by Scripture, prayers, and songs from her children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren as her family entrusted her to her heavenly Father while her beloved cat Albert rested in her lap.

Linda was strong, intelligent, hardworking, resilient, stubborn, funny, loving, and faithful. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Following Linda's wishes, her ashes will be scattered on the family farm on July 18, 2026.