Linda grew up in South River, New Jersey with her parents, Don and Olga and brothers George and Thom. They gathered often for celebrations with their large extended family and supported each other when her father and uncles were away during World War II. Linda moved to New York City to attend Barbizon School of Modeling in her late teens and married Bob Hartzell when she returned to NJ. They raised their four children, Kim, Bob, Todd and Troy in Monroe, New Jersey. When Linda and Bob divorced in 1975, she moved to Largo, Florida to be closer to the Feaster family. Linda worked at Feaster Funeral Homes and later was the office manager for her son’s business, Guaranteed Carburetor. When she first arrived in Florida as a single mom, she worked a second job as a part-time waitress at Woody Riley’s Warehouse in downtown Clearwater. Little did she know her daughter would end up meeting her husband Rick there.
Linda was an extremely thoughtful, kind and always put the needs of others before her own. She was a gracious host who knew how to make her guests feel pampered and at home. Family and friends were always at the center of Linda’s life. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and friend who taught us that time spent together and the memories of these experiences would outlast any material gifts. Linda’s travels took her across the US and around the world to Japan, Europe, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and across the Canadian Rockies.
Twenty years ago Linda suffered the tragic loss of her husband Dwight Schmidt, brother Thom Feaster and son Todd Hartzell within months of each other and two years ago, her world was shattered again with the loss of her son Bob Hartzell. She was a strong woman who faced each challenge with dignity and grace.
Linda is survived by her partner of 15 years, Bruce “Bear” Shuerger who dedicated the last several years to taking care of her through all her medical challenges. In addition to travel and golf, they loved cruises and their time at the casinos. She is also survived by her son Troy Hartzell, his children Donovan, Cassandra, Sophia and Nicole, her daughter Kim (Rick) Nymeyer and their children Jared and Kayla, her daughter-in-law Linda Hartzell and her children Ryan, Megan and Conor, her brother George (Kim) Feaster, sister-in-law Kathy Feaster and six nieces and nephews (Diane, Don, Paul, Belinda, Becky and Chris).
