Lin (Mathieu) Schmidt of Anoka, Minn., died Dec. 28, 2019, age 71.

Lin was co-founder, executive director and president of Lyric Arts Company, Inc., Anoka, Minn. Since 1995 she had shaped and directed the not-for-profit community theater company that provides entertainment and educational opportunities for people of all ages.

She attended Luther College from 1966 to 1968 and received the bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Augsburg College in 1971.

Lin and her husband, Stephen Schmidt ‘68, were residents of Anoka, where she served her community and state for nearly 40 years as an advocate for the arts. Among her best-known arts ventures was the creation with Phil Bologna of Lyric Arts Company of Anoka in 1995. The company outgrew its original production space and in 2001 opened the 223-seat Main Street Stage after a yearlong, $2.7-million renovation of the former Anoka Cinema building. Stephen passed away in 2018.

Lin served as vice president of Anoka Opera, Inc., 1976-95, and president of Ovation Studio of Music, 1988-95. She was past president of the Anoka Community Concert Association, Twin Cities Opera Guild and Anoka Rotary Club.

Schmidt was the recipient of numerous awards and honors for her service to the arts and community, including the Anoka Chamber of Commerce Service Business of the Year award, and the Minnesota Governor's Certificate of Commendation for Service to the Arts to the Anoka Community. She received the Distinguished Service Award from Luther College in 2010. Lin and Stephen were Life Members of the Luther College President’s Council.

Lin is survived by two daughters, Julia Schmidt, and Stephanie (Schmidt) Johnson ‘05 (Dan Johnson ‘03); grandchildren, Frankie Kuehn, Anders Johnson and Olin Johnson. Lin made lifelong friends at Luther College, including her freshman roommate Sonja (Peterson) Chamberlain ’70, who lived two blocks away for the rest of Lin’s life.