Linda J. (St.Ores) Schoening's Obituary
Linda Jean (St. Ores) Schoening, 71, of Clinton, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on June 1, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Linda was born October 20, 1954, in Clinton, Iowa, to Herbert St. Ores Jr. and Jean (Engelkens) St. Ores. She was a 1972 graduate of Thomson High School and a 1973 graduate of Sterling School of Cosmetology.
On March 2, 1974, Linda was united in marriage with her high school sweetheart, Dennis Frederick Schoening, at First Reformed Church in Fulton, Illinois. Their union was a partnership of love and devotion that spanned over five decades.
Linda worked as a beautician early in her career and owned and managed several family businesses. But her greatest joy was being the heart of her family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. After raising her own children, she devoted eight years as a Preschool Teacher at Zion Childcare Preschool, where she found fulfillment in making a lasting impact on countless children and families.
Linda was known for her warm spirit, genuine care for others, and unwavering commitment to family. At the core of Linda’s life was a deep dedication to caring for and serving others, a commitment rooted in her steadfast faith. She pursued a variety of hobbies, including sewing and crafts, flower gardening, and reading. She cherished family vacations in Chetek, Wisconsin, a tradition that spanned more than 50 years. Alongside Dennis, they enjoyed life at the lake, traveling, snowbirding in Florida, and spending time with family.
As an active and cherished member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa, Linda lived out her faith through ministries including the Christian Education Committee, Stepping Stone Committee, Elizabeth Circle, and as an Altar Guild. She carried on her passion for youth through serving as a Sunday School teacher and leading confirmation small groups, and later founded and co-chaired the Faith FUNdations Children’s Program.
Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Dennis Schoening; three children: Kristi Schroeder, Brian (Bentley) Schoening, and Angela (Joseph) Frechette; six grandchildren: Alyssa and Aubrey Schroeder, and Austin, Dominick, Jessica, and Jacki Frechette; one great-grandchild: Jordan Peine; three brothers: Larry (Beth) St. Ores, Terry (Erika) St. Ores, and Dave (Penny) St. Ores; and one sister: Connie (Dean) Rieck.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert St. Ores Jr. and Jean St. Ores; her sister, Sandra Kay St. Ores, at birth; her in-laws, Donald and Kathleen Schoening, and brother-in-law, David Besanson; and her granddaughter, Sandra Kay Frechette, at birth.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church – Clinton. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be brothers-in-law Kevin Curran, Dean Rieck, Don Schoening, Kenny Schoening, Shawn Smith, and Kevin Wheaton. Visitation will be on Friday, June 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith FUNdations at Zion Lutheran Church.
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