LINDA SCHMITZ

Linda Frances Mannigel Schmitz, 76, of Ewing, Mo., passed away December 11, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ewing, Mo. 
Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Ewing, Mo. 
Friends and Family are invited to Linda’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 19, 2025, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ewing, Mo.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ball-Davis Funeral Home in Ewing, Mo. 

 Linda was born on October 23, 1949, in Stillwater, Minn., to Raymond “Ray” Shirl and Katharine Lane Mannigel. She married Daniel Leonard Schmitz on August 3, 1974, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Palmyra, Mo. He survives. 

Survivors include her children, Aaron Daniel (Mary) Schmitz, Angela Michele Schmitz (Charlie) Truong, Stella Noelle and Jasper Aaron Schmitz of Ewing, Mo., Nicholas Minh Truong of Aurora, Ill., Brother –David (Becky) Mannigel of Palmyra, Mo., sister, Sarah (Gary) Washburn of Lakeland, Fla., in-laws, Joan Black of Columbia, Mo.,  Jim Schmitz of LaBelle, Mo., Judy Schmitz of Quincy, Ill., Alice and Dale Peters of Quincy, Ill., Lucinda Moss of Ewing, MO, Philip Schmitz of Ewing, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews.  
Linda was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Katharine Mannigel, father and mother in laws,  John and Stella Schmitz, in-laws, Ruth and John Krietemeyer, Rose and Virgil Sharpe, Leo Schmitz and Pat and Dave Stegeman.                                                                                                                        Linda graduated from Palmyra High School Class of 1967. She later graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and from Southwest Baptist University in 1991 with a Master of Science in Elementary Education. 
She began teaching at Greenfield Elementary from 1971-1974. Next, she took off time after she married Dan to have her children and stay home with them until her daughter started kindergarten in 1984. She ran a small private preschool during that time and continued to have summer preschool with children even after she went back to teaching full time. She started teaching fourth grade at Ewing Elementary School in 1984. In 1988, she moved into teaching third grade. In 1994, she took over the Title 1 math position at Ewing and Highland Elementary School that she held until her retirement in 2008. 
She started the Lewis County C-1 Enrichment Club at Ewing Elementary School in 1989 to help give children in grades 3-6 extra exposure to subjects that they would not have encountered in the normal classroom experience. She coordinated and helped find volunteers to teach lessons until her retirement in 2008. She did after school and summer math tutoring with many students before her retirement. She enjoyed her role as a Lewis County C-1 CTA officer for many years and attended statewide meetings with MSTA. Linda was also very active through MSTA in contacting our legislators to help keep our schools strong. 
After retirement, she continued to help Dan and Aaron with the farming operation by providing meals in the field and helping as a shuttle driver for them moving equipment to different farms. She also enjoyed photographing improvements around the farms and the community. She was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2005 by the Missouri State Teacher’s Association at their convention held in St. Louis.  
Linda was a kind and gentle soul that always kept a positive attitude about things even when she herself had health adversities that would slow her down. Known for her warm smile, friendly personality, and ear to listen to others’ life experiences no matter where she was at. Linda enjoyed sending out hundreds of birthday, congratulatory, and condolence cards to family and community members over the years. Linda’s love and hobby was volunteering/service unselfishly for her community, her school, and for her church. She put in countless hours of work for many years organizing, helping with, and documenting all the efforts that the organizations and clubs that she was involved in. She was a meticulous recordkeeper during and after her working career. She hoped that her work would help those organizations to continue to prosper even after she was gone. She and Dan instilled this belief in her children, grandchildren, and others that volunteering for the greater good helps the entire community. She and Dan supported each other’s volunteer efforts by attending events together. Linda was also an advocate for higher education by encouraging her children and others to seek out advanced degrees to help with furthering their lives.  
Linda enjoyed her role as a grandmother the most in working with grandchildren on projects and attending as many of their different events as possible. Dan and Linda enjoyed traveling together during the winter and summer. They enjoyed traveling to the Carolinas, New York, Louisiana, and Tennessee. They spent many years traveling to Florida during the winter for a month to visit family and see the sights. 
Most recently, Linda was the Lewis County American Legion Auxiliary-past president and secretary, District 1 American Legion Auxiliary-Legislative Chairman, Ewing Community Park Association and Park Party (treasurer) and a member of the Lewis County Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA). 
Past affiliations include the Queen of Peace Catholic Church-where she was an active member since 1974,  Eucharistic Minister at church and communion minister at the nursing homes, head of the religious education program and also a teacher, Queen of Peace Catholic Church Ladies Sodality-member and past president,  a member of the Lewis County Extension Council, Lewis County 4-H Council, Oyster Prairie 4-H Club-Community and Project Leader,  Lewis County Farm Bureau Board, Promotion and Education Committee, Steffenville Farmerette Club, Lewis County Community Teachers Association (CTA),  Missouri State Teacher’s Association (MSTA), Foster Grandparent Advisory Council for Lewis County and the Ewing Civic Club.  
Linda dedicated her life to her career, community, and her family, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, service, and love that will be remembered by all who knew them. 
Pallbearers will be Jamie Mannigel, David Schmitz, Charlie Truong, Mark Schmitz, Glen Chandler and Greg Sharpe. 
Memorial contributions can be made to Heartland Resources.