Gloria Schmitz
January 10, 1940 — April 21, 2024
Gloria Ann Schmitz was born on January 10, 1940 in Westphalia, Iowa to Wilfred and Margaret (Schwery) Coenen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa, where she remained a life long member. She attended grade school and high school at St. Boniface Catholic School. After graduation she went on to attend Iowa Beauty School in Des Moines, Iowa.
Gloria found the love of her life when she met Norman Schmitz. They were united in marriage on October 24, 1961 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. To this union, six children were born, Debbie, Dawn, Dean, Dale, Denise, and Dana.
Gloria owned Gloria’s Beauty Shop for 40 years. She also worked at the Country Care Center outside of Harlan, Iowa for 17 years. Gloria had many community involvements. One of her many passions was playing the organ for many funerals, weddings, musical variety shows, and church masses. She was a member of the St. Boniface Choir for 38 years. She loved flowers, gardening, baking and attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. She also enjoyed doing all things caring for her spouse, family, and farm. She volunteered countless hours for her community and church.
Gloria passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at her home in Harlan, Iowa surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Margaret Coenen, and two brothers, Ivo Coenen and Marvin Coenen.
She is survived by her husband, Norman Schmitz of Westphalia, IA; children, Debbie (David) Davis of Harlan, IA, Dawn (Leo) Lapke of Dunlap, IA, Dean (Courtnay) Schmitz of Des Moines, IA, Dale (Heidi Brown) Schmitz of Council Bluffs, IA, Denise (Wil) Stephany of Omaha, NE, Dana (Danny) Schiltz of Omaha, NE; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dave (Karen) Coenen of Council Bluffs, IA, Vicki (Larry) Schmitz of Westphalia, IA, Twyla Grooms of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Carol Coenen of Omaha, NE; other relatives and many friends.
Gloria found the love of her life when she met Norman Schmitz. They were united in marriage on October 24, 1961 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. To this union, six children were born, Debbie, Dawn, Dean, Dale, Denise, and Dana.
Gloria owned Gloria’s Beauty Shop for 40 years. She also worked at the Country Care Center outside of Harlan, Iowa for 17 years. Gloria had many community involvements. One of her many passions was playing the organ for many funerals, weddings, musical variety shows, and church masses. She was a member of the St. Boniface Choir for 38 years. She loved flowers, gardening, baking and attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. She also enjoyed doing all things caring for her spouse, family, and farm. She volunteered countless hours for her community and church.
Gloria passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at her home in Harlan, Iowa surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Margaret Coenen, and two brothers, Ivo Coenen and Marvin Coenen.
She is survived by her husband, Norman Schmitz of Westphalia, IA; children, Debbie (David) Davis of Harlan, IA, Dawn (Leo) Lapke of Dunlap, IA, Dean (Courtnay) Schmitz of Des Moines, IA, Dale (Heidi Brown) Schmitz of Council Bluffs, IA, Denise (Wil) Stephany of Omaha, NE, Dana (Danny) Schiltz of Omaha, NE; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dave (Karen) Coenen of Council Bluffs, IA, Vicki (Larry) Schmitz of Westphalia, IA, Twyla Grooms of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Carol Coenen of Omaha, NE; other relatives and many friends.
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