Linda Zearley

Linda Marie Zearley (Schmidt), 72, passed away November 26, 2022, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck, due to a stroke and long-standing health issues related to multiple sclerosis.  

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Keith Streifel as celebrant. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 PM on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Vigil/Time of Sharing at 5 PM.

Linda was born March 1, 1950, in Flasher, ND to Gabe and Ottilia (Fleck) Schmidt. She grew up on a farm in Fallon, ND and attended Flasher High School and later Dickinson State College. In 1972, she married Curtis Zearley. They had three children and resided in the Mandan area her entire life. Linda graduated from the University of Mary in 1988. She worked for the Morton County Clerk of Courts, retiring in 2008.

Linda loved to spend time with family and hosted the Easter holiday each spring. She paid special attention that her potatoes were not lumpy and perfectly planned out a process to purchase the freshest buns from George’s Bakery. She will be remembered by her children as very generous, dedicated, and had a great sense of humor. She was an avid reader and had many hobbies throughout the years including crossword puzzles, ceramics, macrame, calligraphy, marigolds and petunias, belly dancing, karate, and photography. The Pontiac Grand Prix was her car of choice and the vibrant color red graced many of her accessories. The decreased physical mobility from MS limited her ability to fully participate in life activities, but she miraculously managed her household from the use of a phone and delegation till the end. She was the heartbeat of her family and will be deeply missed.

Linda is survived by her children, Ryan and Ross Zearley both of Mandan, Biana (Bob) Smolich, Arlington, VA; mother-in-law, Violet Zearley, Mandan; two siblings, Gerald (Laurie) Schmidt, Solen and Cynthia (Ken) Haff, Mandan; one brother-in-law, Clifford (Tammy) Zearley, Mandan; four sisters-in-law, Sharon Johnson (Mark Koenig), Flasher, Marcie (Tom) White, Mandan, Nancy (Jeff) Zearley, Bismarck, and Janice (Tom) Haggert, Detroit Lakes, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis, in 2020; parents, Gabe and Ottilia Schmidt; father-in-law, Miner Zearley; and brothers-in-law, Doug and Jeff Zearley.

A special thanks to Linda’s son, Ryan, and sister, Cyndy, who gave dedicated caring attention to her in her final days. We would like to extend gratitude to family and friends for their comforting expressions of sympathy shown to us in many ways.