Georgia Anne Schmidt

Georgia Anne Schmidt, age 81 of Elma, IA died Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Colonial Manor of Elma.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elma with Rev. Bruce Miller officiating. Interment will be held in Howard Cemetery, Elma.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma. Visitation continues one hour before services at the church in Elma on Saturday.

Georgia Anne Schmidt (Collard), 81, of Elma, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025. Born on May 16, 1944, in Cedar Falls, IA, to Victor and Clara Mae Collard, Georgia lived a life centered on her deep faith in Jesus Christ and her cherished family.

Georgia was the loving sister of older brother Mike Collard (deceased) and younger brother Jim Collard, who resides in Alaska.

She graduated from the State College of Iowa in 1966 with a degree in Elementary Education. That same year, she married the love of her life, Max Schmidt Jr., on June 12, 1966, at College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Early in their marriage, Georgia taught second grade in Montezuma, Iowa, before the couple settled on their family farm in Elma, where they raised their four children.

Georgia and Max were blessed with twin sons, Leland Schmidt and Roland Schmidt (born 1969); a daughter, Becky Drish (born 1971); and another daughter, Penne Smith (born 1975).

A devoted mother, Georgia chose to stay home to raise her children until they left for college. Georgia poured her heart into her family and community. Her love of music shone brightly: she was a beloved piano teacher to countless students, played the organ at church, sang in the choir, and also directed the children’s choir.

Georgia adored children—her own and those throughout the community. She led Vacation Bible Schools, youth groups, and served as a 4-H leader. Her servant’s heart led her to regularly visit residents at Colonial Manor nursing home, where she shared her contagious joy and often played the piano for them.

One of Georgia’s greatest joys was hosting an annual Farm Camp with her husband, Max, on the family farm—a fun-filled four-day extravaganza for all her grandchildren that continued for 13 wonderful years. These gatherings created cherished memories and lasting bonds that her grandchildren will treasure forever.

Above all, Georgia was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Everywhere she went, she sought to share His love and hope. She found daily guidance, comfort, and assurance in reading God’s Word, secure in her faith and the promise of eternal life.

To know Georgia was to love her. She will be deeply missed by her family and all whose lives she touched. Yet we rejoice knowing she is now in the presence of her Savior in Heaven, and we look forward to the glorious reunion with her one day.

Georgia is survived by: her husband, Max, her brother Jim Collard (Dorothey), and her children: Leland (wife Kathi), Roland (wife Barbie), Becky Drish (husband Randy) and Penne Smith (husband Andy) and her 11 grandchildren: Stacie Vermeer (Justin), Ryan Jay Schmidt, Cale Schmidt (Bianca) Dondi Hibma (Nick), Abby Brincks (Chris), Annie Sanborn (Tanner), Ryan Drish (Jessie), Rachel Drish, Ellie Trident (Thomas), Molly Smith and Sadie Smith. 13 Great grandchildren: Alivia and Caden Vermeer, Halley Schmidt, Dietrich, Casper and Macrina Hibma, Cooper, Kaden and baby boy Brincks (due April 2026), Caleum, Everett and Mickey Sanborn, and Reece Drish (due Jan 2026).

Friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate Georgia’s life at her visitation at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home 508 Maple St., Elma, IA  on Friday, Dec 26 from 4pm – 7pm. The family plans to share special memories of Georgia throughout the evening. The funeral service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran 107 Wood St, Elma, IA on Saturday December 27 at 10am. There will be a viewing at 9am. Internment will follow the service at Howard Cemetery on Garden Ave in Elma. The family would love to have you join them for a delicious meal following that at the Memorial Hall in Elma.

Any memorial donations will be used to purchase a bench in her honor and will be placed in the Elma area.