Mary I. Schmitz
September 18, 1926 — August 11, 2022
Mary I. Schmitz
Mary Isabelle Schmitz was born September 18, 1926 to George and Anna (Gau) Weihs on a farm in Lincoln Township, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. She graduated with the class of 1944 from St. Boniface Catholic Schools. On November 22, 1950, Mary was united in marriage to Leland Schmitz at St. Boniface Catholic Church after becoming boyfriend and girlfriend when Mary was in second grade and Leland was in the first grade. Six children were born to this union: Randy, Annette, Neil, Nadine, Leon, and Scott.
Mary worked at the Westphalia Co-op Store for 5 years. She was then a homemaker, raising her family on the farm. Mary’s large garden provided for the family. Her homemade applesauce, cinnamon rolls, creamed cucumbers and coleslaw were family favorites and never lasted long. At night, once the little kids were in bed, she enjoyed painting by number accomplishing a large Last Supper picture. She loved having card parties and was an avid Rummy player at the Westphalia Club House with her lady friends betting five cents a point. Mary and Leland enjoyed the dog and horse races along with bowling league. She played many BINGO games, and tried to beat the family at pitch. Mary and Leland also enjoyed going out to eat together at Mickels Restaurant and Pizza Ranch. In 1995 Leland and Mary moved off the farm to Harlan. Mary will always be remembered for her quick wit, her unending faith and her profound love she had for her family.
Mary became a resident of the Dunlap Nursing Home in August 2021. She passed away there on August 11, 2022 having attained the age of 95 years, 10 months, and 24 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Weihs, her husband Leland Schmitz, daughter Nadine Kenkel, brother Loren Weihs, infant brother John and sisters Hildaan Wolken and Mabel Gubbels.
Mary is survived by her children Randy (Julie) Schmitz of Bettendorf, IA Annette Schmitz of Harlan, IA Neil “Spike” (Judi) Schmitz of Westphalia, IA Leon (Jan) Schmitz of Parkville, MO, Scott (Linda) Schmitz Windsor, CO, son-in-law Steve (Paula) Kenkel of Earling, IA; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; sister Elaine Goetz of Harlan, Iowa and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mary Isabelle Schmitz was born September 18, 1926 to George and Anna (Gau) Weihs on a farm in Lincoln Township, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. She graduated with the class of 1944 from St. Boniface Catholic Schools. On November 22, 1950, Mary was united in marriage to Leland Schmitz at St. Boniface Catholic Church after becoming boyfriend and girlfriend when Mary was in second grade and Leland was in the first grade. Six children were born to this union: Randy, Annette, Neil, Nadine, Leon, and Scott.
Mary worked at the Westphalia Co-op Store for 5 years. She was then a homemaker, raising her family on the farm. Mary’s large garden provided for the family. Her homemade applesauce, cinnamon rolls, creamed cucumbers and coleslaw were family favorites and never lasted long. At night, once the little kids were in bed, she enjoyed painting by number accomplishing a large Last Supper picture. She loved having card parties and was an avid Rummy player at the Westphalia Club House with her lady friends betting five cents a point. Mary and Leland enjoyed the dog and horse races along with bowling league. She played many BINGO games, and tried to beat the family at pitch. Mary and Leland also enjoyed going out to eat together at Mickels Restaurant and Pizza Ranch. In 1995 Leland and Mary moved off the farm to Harlan. Mary will always be remembered for her quick wit, her unending faith and her profound love she had for her family.
Mary became a resident of the Dunlap Nursing Home in August 2021. She passed away there on August 11, 2022 having attained the age of 95 years, 10 months, and 24 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Weihs, her husband Leland Schmitz, daughter Nadine Kenkel, brother Loren Weihs, infant brother John and sisters Hildaan Wolken and Mabel Gubbels.
Mary is survived by her children Randy (Julie) Schmitz of Bettendorf, IA Annette Schmitz of Harlan, IA Neil “Spike” (Judi) Schmitz of Westphalia, IA Leon (Jan) Schmitz of Parkville, MO, Scott (Linda) Schmitz Windsor, CO, son-in-law Steve (Paula) Kenkel of Earling, IA; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; sister Elaine Goetz of Harlan, Iowa and many nieces, nephews and friends.
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