Sharon K. Lindblad Schmidt, age 74, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, graduated to Glory on April 30, 2022.
Sharon was born July 1, 1947 in Ashland, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Walter and Blanche Lindblad. In 1968 Sharon graduated from Northland College with a B.A. in Music Education, and later earned her Masters of Education from Marian College. She began her teaching career at Kohler where she was in charge of the K-12 vocal music program until 1985 when she moved to Sheboygan North School where she was the choral director until her retirement in 2002. Sharon loved sharing her music with her students and the community, and she had a joyful, happy personality which drew people to her. She was also very actively involved in The Evangelical Free Church, and her personal faith in Jesus Christ was the focal point of her life.
During her 34 years of teaching, Sharon also directed the Campus Life “Lightshine Singers” for 12 years, accompanied The Men of Harmony for 13 years, led the Kohler Madrigal Singers on tour to Austria in 1978, and the North High ”Northern Lights Singers” on many memorable music tours, including Opryland, Toronto, Canada, and Branson, Missouri. Sharon was a published composer who also directed many local musical theatre productions, including “Brigadoon”, “The Sound of Music”, “Of Thee I Sing”, “Bye Bye, Birdie”, “Guys and Dolls”, and “Foxfire”.
In 1980, Sharon was married to Duwaine “Dewey” Schmidt, and after their retirement in 2002, the couple spent 10 years in the northwoods of Legend Lake in the home they had designed and built. They enjoyed the beautiful woods and lake, visits from friends and family, singing around the firepit in the evenings, boating and fishing on the lake, and spending their winters as Florida snowbirds. They both loved and appreciated their north and south church families and the sweet fellowship they shared. Sharon also loved to teach at The College of Menominee Nation as adjunct professor~ teaching Oral Communication, and various Education courses, including her favorite: Music Methods For Elementary Teachers.
Sharon is survived by her nephews Barry (Ann) Berglund of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Bruce (Cathleen) Berglund of Palatine, Illinois and their families; her 3 stepchildren: Vicki (Joel) Ruetten of Keshena, Wisconsin, Heidi (Matt) Wallner of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Peter (Andy) Schmidt of Brown Deer, Wisconsin; her surrogate daughter Claudia Held, Sheboygan, Wisconsin and her surrogate grand daughter Megan (Ryan) Du Puis of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Dewey Schmidt, parents, Walter and Blanche Lindblad, her sister Nancee Berglund and her adopted sister Glenda King.
A memorial service for Sharon K. Schmidt will be held at The Evangelical Free Church, 1710 N. 15th Street, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on Saturday, May 21, 2022, with Rev. Dr. Gary Hylander officiating. Visitation at 1:00 p.m. and the memorial service at 2:00 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established in Sharon’s name for Sheboygan County Campus Life and The Gideons International. The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, Sheboygan, is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
You were my best Northland College friend. You will be missed. Looking forward to reuniting in Heaven one day. Love from Peggy & John Spooner
Pamela bartoli
June 20, 2022
You will be missed by so many. I think God for bringing you into my young life and continuing through my adult life. Always wish we had more time and chances to talk. Rest In Peace. Love Pam
Crystal Wildschuetz-Shotwell
May 28, 2022
Schmidty, I'm so glad I was able to talk with you this last year. My 4 years in high school.....you kept trying to push me into Concert choir but I was too stubborn and stayed in the Choirsters where I felt at home.
You installed in me confidence I'm pretty sure would have been out of my reach alone. You were an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) push to help me be the woman I am, and pushed me to be the best I could and to never give up. Something I can help installed in my children. I wish they would have been able to meet you and know you the way I did. The world is a better place because of you, many who passed through your classroom door will be able to pass on your love of music, how to be able to treat others better, and your sense of confidence.
You will live on, not only through your family, but through all the souls you touched, taught and inspired. And they will pass on what you taught them. So in truth you may be gone in body, but your spirit, your love and your sense of kindness and compassion will live on through the years to come. You will never be forgotten.......
With all my heart I love you Schmidty.
Crystal Shotwell
May 28, 2022
Schmidty, I'm so glad I was able to talk with you this last year. My 4 years in high school.....you kept trying to push me into Concert choir but I was too stubborn and stayed in the Choirsters where I felt at home.
You installed in me confidence I'm pretty sure would have been out of my reach alone. You were an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) push to help me be the woman I am, and pushed me to be the best I could and to never give up. Something I can help installed in my children. I wish they would have been able to meet you and know you the way I did. The world is a better place because of you, many who passed through your classroom door will be able to pass on your love of music, how to be able to treat others better, and your sense of confidence.
You will live on, not only through your family, but through all the souls you touched, taught and inspired. And they will pass on what you taught them. So in truth you may be gone in body, but your spirit, your love and your sense of kindness and compassion will live on through the years to come. You will never be forgotten.......
With all my heart I love you Schmidty.
Robin Jordan
May 22, 2022
Please accept my deepest condolences. May Sharon’s memories comfort you.
Betty Johnson
May 15, 2022
It was my privilege and joy to meet and get to know Sharon through mutual friends…. She was a caring and very loving person, surely a gift from God to this world. We will remember her with gratitude.
Robin Fisher
May 10, 2022
Sharon and I were more like blood sisters then sister's in Christ. I will surely miss her. Happy Graduation Day, Sharon. I hope to see you again. Love you, Robin.
Natalie Schmidt
May 9, 2022
I was a student of Mrs. Schmidt for 4 years at North High School. I have such fond memories of her. She was one of a kind and will be missed. My condolences to her family.
Carol A Lowe
May 9, 2022
A wonderfully beautiful, talented friend. You have left our world a better place.
Myra A Eischen
May 7, 2022
so sorry for your loss. I worked for DuWaine at his service station in the 70's and knew Sharon from campus life and later when she married him. so musically talented.
Tina von Stritzky
May 7, 2022
Liebe Sharon,
I Know, we shared time for a season, I know, we shared time for a reason.
And we both know, that you are part of my life for ever and ever and ever!
Love you across time and space and ocean!
Yours always
Deine Tina
John maurer
May 7, 2022
RIP,Sharon.A very dear friend since 1964 as a fellow Northland College freshman.Thanks for all the precious memories and good times.
Amy Zabel
May 6, 2022
I will miss you so much. You were my all time favorite teacher. I'll never for get corallettes and to pronounce the end of my words clearly when I sing. I love you. Rest in peace and sing with the choirs of angels! ❤️❤️🎶🎵🎼🎹
Alicia Bergner
May 6, 2022
Mrs. Schmidt, my favorite teacher! You will forever hold a special place in my heart. The ONLY class I ever enjoyed! I will never forget all your silly faces that you used to make and the voice excercises you made us do! You truly are an amazing being!
Sharon Brulla
May 6, 2022
Where do Begin. 25 years of Sisters in Chrst. A very strong friendship.
I met Sharon through my father Ellsworth Damrow who sang with Sharon in the Men of Harmony. Sharon and I became good friends pretty quickly. She also was good friends with both my parents.
I had the honor of being Sharon's EA in her chorale department at North High School the four years she had my son Matt as her student both in Concert choir and Northern Lights.
Sharon had been looking for someone who could help her. She made the recommendation that I would be a great fit because she knew my music experience, background and education I had.
She came up with a humorous way to identify us, because we both were Sharon's.
She was Sharon #1 because she was older. I was Sharon #2. Something that continue after she retired.
It was a joy to be apart of her teaching and shaping of these young minds through music and her faith.
Sharon's faith was something that each of her students knew and saw in her life.
I can not thank her enough for all she did for my own son Matt Brulla. Sharon use to tell me it takes a army sometimes to raise faith loved children. And Dewey badger were certainly apart of that army for me with mine.
After Sharon retired and Matt graduated in 2002, Sharon and I stayed in touch, remained thebes of friends. I enjoyed all the times I was able to spend time up North with Dewey and her. All the Sunday morning breakfast together, sometimes breakfasts during the week. And Sharon and my time together just sharing the word of God with each other and talking about life.
I was so happy when she called me to let me know that they were moving back to Sheboygan. I was there to support her through her back surgery.
Anyone who truly knew SharonSchmidt knew that her love for God was the most important relationship she had in her life.
Her live for Dewey and her family and friends was second.
But her love for music and teaching was who she was created to be. Educator, mentor and friend.
I am so honored that she choose me to be apart of that with her from 1998-2002.
To see her with her students was inspiring to watch. She was a gift!! Thank you Sharon for all you did for all your kids. Especially mine.
I know that Sharon is reunited with her husband and family members and friends who she deeply missed. My heart is broken. I will miss this special special lady in my life.
Thank you Sharon #1 for all you did for me.
All the life lessons and teachings for 25 years. I will carry those lessons in my heart forever. And hold you in a very special place in my heart.
Sing on sister, sing on. Rest easy Sharon #1
Love Eternal
Sharon#2
Stephanie Ruetten
May 6, 2022
Thoughts and prayers with your family
Barry and Ann Berglund
May 6, 2022
We miss you and love you, Aunt Sharon!
Jamie Porto
May 6, 2022
Sharon was God’s own Angel on earth amongst
Us. She had an amazing sense of humor.
I was privileged to have known her.
The Lord held her by her hand taking her to glory ☀️🙏🏻
Lisa Stephan
May 6, 2022
Mrs. Schmidt was my choir teacher at Swallow Elementary in the 80's. Her energy and passion for music was contagious, and her ability to connect with every single student on a personal level was unforgettable. I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet this incredible educator and beautiful human being! Rest easy, Mrs. Schmidt - I can hear you warming up the heavenly choir now!
Rebecca Wheeler
May 6, 2022
Sharon will be missed greatly. Although I only met her briefly she was a blessing and radiant of the Lord. She now is rejoicing with the Lord. Until we meet again..
Kyle Kaker
May 6, 2022
I am stunned by this news. Sharon was a dear friend. We stayed in touch for decades. She had a tremendous influence on my life, as well as the lives of so many others. Beyond her musical talent, high intelligence and energy, she was full of kindness and goodness. At the center of it all was her love of God. Condolences to her friends, former students and family.
Carlton Leitch
May 6, 2022
Mrs. Schmidt was my music teach at Kohler. She also taught with my father. She is one of the teachers that I carry with me to this day. My thoughts are with her family today.
Michael Mason
May 6, 2022
She was the best music teacher we
Had.now she is with Jesus.
Mailee Maria Klein
May 6, 2022
Oh Schmidt’y……..where do I began. Thinking about High School seems so very far in the past….yet……it still seems much like it was just yesterday. Memories floods your mind….good & bad…..happy & sad. Why were we so conceited thinking we knew it all. And that we were kings & queens of our world back then. Oh what little did we know. But you were the fortress that stood strong with no bending & when I think of High School I can not think of it without you.
I remember in grade school, I was sitting on the floor of the gym…..so excited because the Northern Lights were coming to give us a concert. And I saw you & the Northern Lights like dancers in this intricate beautiful dance. It was beyond words.
In Middle School I came with my class to see Brigadoon the Musical. And fell instantly in love with the theater……with the cast and the scenery. I remember specifically there was a scene where the two lovers were standing over a bridge and singing together. I was swept away. I could not wait to get to high school!
High school was a roller coasters of ups & downs. I remember I was not in any of your choir classes until my senior year. But I was accepted into your classroom during lunch, before school & after school like I belong. You accepted all of us……the short….the tall…in what ever packages we came in.
You gave me the name Smailee. But it was you who smiled & your beautiful smile that I reminded throughout my high school years & beyond even to today.
My senior year was my hardest…..losing my step-father right in the middle of the fall musical. It seemed like I was on a downhill spiral after that. I was gasping for breath to not drown. I would not have made it through that year without you, your guidance & your unconditional love.
These are the things I learned when I walked away from high school……from you:
1. Love God ferociously……for that was how much He loved me.
2. Love my family (later on my husband & my son) like they were a part of me…..an extension of myself.
3. Lastly love my friends unconditionally …….because a
“lifetime is not too long to live as friends.”
The only words I have left to say to you, is THANK You THANK YOU THANK You. You have touched many lives….but in mine……you show & paved the way to become someone better then myself. I will forever be grateful to you, your love & your guidance as a teacher.
Love in Christ,
Smailee
P.S. Please give my little son Job a hug & a kiss for me. And to pray with him for each & everyone of us each day until we meet again. Thank you.
Jacqui Erdmann (Bakes)
May 5, 2022
How do you summarize a person who's impact was so astounding. I (along with so many others) owe so much of who I am to the person you were, and the influence you had during all 4 of my high-school years. I'm saddened by the news of your passing, but grateful for the memories, the guidance and the love you showed in the time I had the honor of knowing you.
Kathryn Lockwood
May 5, 2022
I have no words. I have ALL the words.
Your impact was so vast... we've been filling up facebook with pictures and memories of our time with you. Countless people crediting you for making our lives (even ourselves) better. You taught us so much more than music - you taught us how to carry ourselves with poise and grace, how to grieve well, to always "leave a place better than you found it", how to love others no matter what - that we are ALL important to our Creator and to you... you modeled Christ's love so well.
I owe so much of myself and the life that I know to you. You were more than a teacher or a mentor. You made us all a family because of how you loved us and how you taught us to love others. It's not the music that has kept us together these decades later - it's because of you. We recognize your drive, silliness, greatness, and love whenever we see each other.
I can only imagine the welcome party they threw for you in Heaven, with "Dewance Claraine" at the center with his bestest hugs. Few are more deserving of paradise than you, Schmidty. I truly love you.