Linda (Schmidt) Gast

Linda Gast

Born: January 23,1929, in Urich, Missouri

Died: November 4, 2025, in Sebastian, Florida

Linda (Schmidt) Gast, 96, of Sebastian, Florida, passed away peacefully in her home on November 4, 2025. Linda was born on January 23,1929, in Urich, Missouri, daughter of Fredrick “Fred” Schmidt and Maude (Harper) Schmidt. Linda’s family moved from Missouri to Earlville, Illinois, where she entered Earlville High School and met Harold Gast, the oldest son of Herbert and Esther Gast. Linda and Harold married at Earlville Immanuel Lutheran Church on March 11,1947, when Linda was 18 years old. Upon marriage she became a sister-in-law to Harold’s 7 sisters and one brother and fostered a strong family connection with them. Linda had fond memories of the early marriage years of living in the same farmhouse with her many new in-laws, all living in a one-bathroom farmhouse, as she and Harold saved & planned for their own future single-family home. Linda and Harold celebrated 65 anniversaries before Harold’s passing on May 14, 2012. After Harold’s passing, Linda built a new house in Sebastian, Florida, in 2014, at the age of 85 to be closer to her only child, son John Gast, also of Sebastian, Florida.

Linda spent most of her adulthood in Earlville being the supportive wife of a farmer. She often did chores, drove tractors to help with the spring planting and fall harvest, and would ‘feed the men working in the fields’ as she would often phrase it. For a time, she worked as a secretary for the Marathon Electric Company in Earlville. Linda enjoyed golfing at the Earlville Country Club, where she knew the course like the back of her hand and won several of the golf outings throughout the years. Linda was a champion golfer well into her early 80’s. Linda’s other hobbies included painting, flower gardening, bird watching, traveling, social Bacchus group, and hosting beautifully decorated Christmas gatherings for family. Through the pathway of her beloved mother-in-law and mentor, Esther Gast, Linda gained a love of collecting antiques to adorn her and Harold’s home. Linda’s favorite items to collect were cow and farm related porcelain plates, glassware, and paintings; all of which reminded her of her Missouri roots and the farm life she always cherished. Linda’s favorite travels included Germany with a River Cruise to other parts of Europe and frequent trips to Hawaii. Hawaii allowed Harold and Linda an opportunity to escape the winter weather after the two ceased raising livestock and became row crop farmers.

Linda loved the color blue, incorporating it into her home décor and fashion style as much as possible. Linda, up until the day of her passing, loved to watch HGTV and as a result, she held another hobby of constantly improving her house through renovations and upgrades. Linda herself was always impeccably groomed and actively kept the inside of her home in perfect order and the outside landscape meticulous as she embraced Florida’s climate and flowering plants.

Linda’s one and only grandson, Daymon Gast, was an important person in her life. Linda and Harold got to follow him on his rodeo career. The couple would follow Daymon to see him compete locally and at the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Her two great-granddaughters, Avery and Addison, were her princesses, and she spoiled them dearly, well into their college years. The great-granddaughter’s family vacations always included visiting their “Great GG” every summer and Christmas. Linda had a special bond with her granddaughter-in-law, Laura, and considered Laura a trusted blessing.

In her last 11 years on this earth, Linda lived independently in her new home in Sebastian Florida where she enjoyed the warm weather, interacting with her neighbors, hosting visiting family members from Illinois, dining out at her favorite Florida restaurants and loving on her two dogs. Mia, who followed her to Florida, and then Peaches, an adorable Maltese mix, whom she got as a puppy less than three years ago.

Linda is survived by her grandson Daymon Gast (Laura Gast) of Frankfort, IL. Surviving also are her 2 great-granddaughters, Avery and Addison Gast, both in college. Five sisters-in-law survive as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold and only son John Gast. Also preceding her in death were her parents and sisters Mary Brown, Nellie Bonine, Marjorie Starks, Blanche “Betty" Iiams, and brother Fred “Bud” Schmidt.

Linda S. Gast lived a wonderful life. She will be remembered for always looking her very best, her strong will, her positive attitude, for her love of family and the laughter she brought to those around her. The family is so grateful to a team of neighbors, family, and Joan Mason (John’s life partner) for helping her live out her wishes to stay in her home. May she now be reunited with husband Harold and her loving son John. The family is very proud of the remarkable woman Linda S. Gast was and always will be.

A grave side memorial service will be held at Earlville’s Precinct Cemetery at 12 o’clock noon on Sunday Nov. 23rd 2025 with Pastor Denise Rode officiating. Address: 4432 E 1553rd Rd. Earlville, IL 60518

A lunch and fellowship will be held at the Harding Community Center at 1:00 pm. Address: 1625 N 4012th Rd. Earlville, IL 60518 at 1:00.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church Earlville, IL. Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Linda’s guestbook at www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com

Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home

P.O. Box 808

Earlville, IL 60518

815-246-6491