Leola Schmidt: For the community, forever

Leola Schmidt was a friend to everyone during her lifetime, with many social connections in her community. She grew up in DeWitt and spent her career at Iowa Mutual. She never married or had children, but was involved in her church and loved animals, Nascar and bowling. 

While she lived a quiet life, she made a tremendous impact on the community she loved. For three decades, she’d been keeping an eye on the LincolnWay Community Foundation and its work. When she died in 2023, Leola left a generous estate gift to the Foundation. “We were surprised, and so grateful,” says Executive Director Amanda Willimack. “Her legacy will now live on forever as part of our family of funds, impacting rural communities for generations to come.”

Supporting community needs was Leola’s top priority, which she made known in a letter of intent she wrote to guide the Foundation in directing her legacy. Foundation leaders made an immediate $25,000 gift to the Clinton Humane Society in her honor. They also created the Leola Schmidt Memorial Endowment, a permanent fund that will support nonprofits through the Foundation’s annual grant cycle – forever. Leola’s gift has also launched an initiative to support new endowment funds for community organizations.

“We wanted to make a big impact on the things she cared about,” says Willimack.

The Foundation offers a way for people to take care of their families and ensure their communities are supported after they are gone. Like Leola, many have had successful careers or raised families here, and have strong local ties. 

With her gift, Leola joined many others who have chosen to preserve a portion of their assets in endowments with the Foundation. Endowments are invested and will grow forever, paying out a portion of earnings to address community issues, strengthen local institutions, and improve the quality of life for future generations of rural Clinton County residents. 

You can leave an inheritance to your children and loved ones, and also leave a legacy for your community. We invite you to consider a discussion with your family about the community you love. The Foundation is here to help you meet your charitable goals.