Memorial

Joan Marie Schmidt, 54, suffered an anoxic event April 7, 2022, resulting in brain death. Her family donated her organs, so death did not occur until April 14, 2022,

Joan was born May 19, 1967, in Cedar Rapids to Arthur and Cleo Schmidt. Joan was born with a brain injury leaving her with cerebral palsy and some intellectual deficits. Even with these complications, she graduated from Kennedy High School in 1986, and worked through Options of Linn County for many years, including several years at Alliant Energy. She also participated in Special Olympics, and a bowling league.

A broken hip in 2012 confined Joan to a wheelchair, necessitating permanent residency at ManorCare. She enjoyed listening to music, coloring, word search puzzles, watching the Hawkeyes and Cubs, and playing Bingo. Joan loved animals, especially dogs, hot air balloons and the color purple. 

Joan is survived by brothers, Mark, Chris (Robin), sister, Lori Manzel (Kenneth), nephew Benjamin (Jaclyn), niece, Aubrey, great-nephew, Ryne, uncle, many cousins, and special canine Jadie. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Services are set for 11:00 Monday April 25, 2022, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, where a visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The family wishes memorials to be made to Cedar Valley Humane Society.

The family wants to express their gratitude to the staff at ManorCare for their dedication to Joan’s well-being during the past decade, and to the staff of St. Luke’s ICU and the Iowa Donor Network during this difficult time.