Tammala "Tami" Schmidt

In fair remembrance, we celebrate the life of Tammala Joan Schmidt, known to her dear ones as Tami, who graced this world with her presence on the 17th day of December in the year of our Lord 1959. Born under the vast skies of Sioux City, Iowa, she finally took her leave in the gentle arms of Milan, Illinois, her spirit undaunted by a lengthy skirmish with the merciless malady known as cancer.

Tami, a woman of profound creativity and boundless love, was the cherished daughter of Constance Bell and the late Frank Bower. Her life was further enriched by the companionship of her siblings: Tina Bower, Tony (Cathy) Bower, Toby (Lisa) Bower, Dana (Ronnie) McKennon, and Travis (Leslie) Bower. She was a constant source of inspiration and joy to her beloved husband, Steve Schmidt. Her family circle extended to include her Great Uncle Earl (Mary), Aunt Jeanie Wagner, Uncle Rocky (Becky) Schwartz, and her dear cousins: Cheryl Ann Czerwinsky, Dianne Stearns, Michael John McCleary, Shannon Pree, and Allison Askam. The laughter and love of numerous nieces and nephews added further warmth to her heart.

Her pursuit of knowledge led her to the hallowed halls of Bradley University, where she obtained her Master of Fine Arts, and Western Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. Tami carried her passion for art into her professional life, inspiring young minds as an Adjunct Professor of Art at BlackHawk College and bringing joy to the residents of Avonlee Cottage as their Activities Director.

A life-long artist, Tami was a veritable Midas, turning everything she touched into works of beauty. With the diligence of a master composer, she orchestrated the creation of a 4-acre grass prairie, christened 'The Symphony of the Cathedral'. In collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, she nurtured and preserved native species of plants, birds, insects, and animals, her love for nature as deep as the roots of the trees she so cherished.

Her spirit of service extended beyond the realm of art and nature. She served as a Moline Police Citizen Volunteer for the animal shelter, her compassion as vast as the prairie she so lovingly tended. Tami's inherent love for her community saw her volunteering at numerous art festivals, always eager to share her knowledge and mentor upcoming artists.

Tami's love for her family was as profound as her love for art and nature. Her home was a sanctuary for her loved ones, her heart a canvas where she painted portraits of love and kindness. She was blessed with a multitude of special friends who stood by her side, tending to her prairie and her spirit during her battle with cancer.

And so, as we bid farewell to Tammala "Tami" Joan Schmidt, let us not mourn her departure but celebrate her life - a life lived with passion, creativity, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a life dedicated to service, art, and the preservation of nature. Like the prairie she loved, Tami's spirit will continue to thrive, her memory blooming in the hearts of those she touched. She has left us physically, but her legacy, like her prairie, will endure, a testament to a life lived with purpose and love.

"In the embrace of the forthcoming Spring, we shall gather to partake in a wondrous Celebration of Life for Tami. It is a time when nature's canvas, her vast grass prairie, known as 'The Symphony of the Cathedral,' will be a breathtaking masterpiece in full bloom; a tapestry of colors, where every blade of grass is a note, and every flower a melody, harmonizing together in a majestic symphony of life. Under the gentle caress of the sun's warm rays, we shall be immersed in a world where the very earth beneath us sings, and the winds themselves carry the melodies of existence. Details will be posted at a later date, so that family and friends may join us in this enchanting ode to Tami's life, as we marvel at the beauty that surrounds us and celebrate the precious life of Tami."

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on her memory page at wendtfuneralhome.com.