Linda M Schmidt

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Linda M. (Wilken) Schmidt will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Jack Taylor and Mr. Joe Wilken officiating.

The service will be live-streamed via the Hope Lutheran Church's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/HopeLutheranChurchSmithfield

A private family inurnment will be held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, rural Maxwell, Nebraska, at a future time.

Linda M. (Wilken) Schmidt, 77 years of age, of rural Bertrand, Nebraska, died on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center Emergency Room in Holdrege, due to a farm accident.  Linda was born on October 8, 1948, the eldest of four children born to Eugene and RosElla "Rose" (Lavene) Wilken.  She was raised on the family farm and received her primary education from Bertrand School and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1966.

Linda was united in marriage to Farrel Schmidt on February 16, 1968, at Hope Lutheran Church.  The couple made their home in rural Bertrand, where Linda worked at McDonald's Clothing Store while Farrel was in the service. When Farrel returned from Korea, she worked alongside Farrel and her father-in-law, Elmer Schmidt, with the farming operation, cattle, horses and many, many pigs. Linda and Elmer shared a special bond.  Farrel and Linda were blessed with two daughters:  Kristie and Sara.

Linda provided in home daycare, Linda's Little People, in town for a few years.  She was a second grandma to many children in Bertrand. She worked for the Bertrand Market in Bertrand.  Farrel and Linda later purchased and changed the name to Main Street Market, which they later sold when they retired.

She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, where she served in many capacities, including teaching Sunday school.  Linda enjoyed spending time with friends, family, and the love of her life, Farrel, and having conversations, that always ended in a hug.  She never met a stranger!  Linda was a huge Elvis fan and loved to collect antiques, and attending auctions.  She served Jesus through the many Veteran organizations, the Parent / Child Center in Lexington, Nebraska, and Crossroads City Mission in Kearney.  She also served with the Housing Authority Board, and the Fair and Rodeo Committee in Bertrand, for many years.

Linda was preceded in death by: her parents, Gene and Rose; and her two brothers:  Dale, in infancy; and Dennis D. Wilken.

Linda is survived by her husband, Farrel Schmidt of rural Bertrand; two daughters:  Kristie Dugan and her husband, Jared of Cozad, Nebraska; and Sara Schmidt of Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren:  Whitney Schmidt; Ashton Johnson and husband, Logan; Chase Dugan and his wife, Karsyn; Brenna Jaggers and husband, Bret; and Jed Dugan; three great-grandchildren:  Quinton, Scottie, and Leighton; her brother, Danny Wilken and his wife, Jan of Smithfield, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Lila Wilken of Bertrand; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family members

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, with the family present.

Memorials in Linda's honor can be directed to the family for future designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.