Ellen Hyndman Schmidt, left us peacefully on March 8, 2025, at the age of 81. Born on June 10, 1943, in Washington, DC, Ellen spent her life as a dedicated educator, musician, and community member.

Ellen worked as an Occupational Therapist and as Physical Education and Health Teacher at Milwaukee Montessori School and Racine Montessori School from 1972 until 1984. Her commitment to education was evident in her own learning, graduating as valedictorian from Springfield High School in 1961. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, was a member of the Phi Alpha Phi Honorary Society and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. For her volunteer contributions to the community, the Governor of Wisconsin declared ”Ellen Schmidt Day” on May 24, 1984.

An accomplished musician, Ellen played the viola with the Racine Symphony Orchestra, In addition to playing, she served on the Symphony Board as Player Representative and for many years wrote the program notes for symphony performances. She cherished her time as a Suzuki Violin and Viola teacher, inspiring countless children to find their own love of music. A proud member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Ellen gifted her passion for music to the next generation.
She served as the Director of Religious Education at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church in Racine for ten years and was an active member of the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota.
Ellen was blessed with a remarkable touch with children, and the ability to inspire and celebrate cooperative learning, music, artistic expression, and play. She drew together her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and cousins, as well as the many children she interacted with in her life outside the family home. She transmitted her parents’ hospitality, practicality, and love to the next two generations. The bonds between the members of those generations are her truest legacy.

Ellen’s memory will live on through her loving husband, John Schmidt; her children, Stephen (Alexandra) Schmidt, Liesl (Aaron) Nelson, and Melissa Peterson; her grandchildren, Gideon (Mackenzie), Josiah, and Rachel Schmidt, and James and Anna Nelson; her brothers, Harry (Kathleen) Hyndman and her sister-in-law, Cynda Hyndman.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry Hyndman Jr. & Virginia Vasey Hyndman and her brother, Stephen Hyndman.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 28,2025 at 7 PM at The First Presbyterian Church 716 College Avenue Racine, WI 53403. Memorials may be directed to OBUUC, PO BOX 5, Racine WI 53401-005 or WBUUC, 328 Maple ST, Mahtomedi, MN 55115.