Mary Lou Schmidt, age 87, died on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mary Lou was born on January 13, 1935, to Norman and Josephine (Anderson) Engebretson in Garretson, South Dakota, where she was raised and educated. Mary Lou married the love of her life, James Schmidt, on January 31, 1953.
Mary Lou loved her family first and foremost. She was a devoted wife of 67 years, a loving and nurturing mother to five children and a thoughtful, compassionate grandmother to nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mary Lou’s faith was very important to her and she lived it out in her day to day activities. Throughout her life, Mary Lou was an active member in ELCA churches in Garretson, SD (Zion); Jackson, MN (Our Savior’s); Bella Vista, AR (United); and Sioux Falls, SD (Peace). She served in many church positions, most notably church council member, Sunday School and Bible School teacher, Stephen Minister, home communion visitor, Altar Guild member, and choir member. Lastly, Mary Lou adored her pet cats, cats that she had from her childhood up until she entered Special Care.
Mary Lou began working outside of the home as her children started going to school. She first worked as a nursing aide at the hospital and later became the bookkeeper for Chozen’s Department Store in Jackson. Later, Mary Lou became the office manager for Schultz Insurance Agency. Following retirement, Mary Lou and Jim retired to Bella Vista, AR, where they enjoyed twenty years before moving to Sioux Falls in 2017.
Mary Lou enjoyed many hobbies. She and Jim loved to golf together and passed on that love to their children. Mary Lou also was an avid Bridge player throughout her life. In retirement, she began quilting and gifted every child and grandchild one of her quilts to treasure. Mary Lou believed in the importance of furthering educational opportunities for women and was a member of P.E.O. in Jackson and Bella Vista.
Grateful to have shared her life are her daughters, Rondi (Darrell) Shafer of Colorado Springs, CO, Nancy (John) Hodge of Lakewood, WA, Sandra (Larry) Schoenecker of New Prague, MN, Cathy (Joel) Halbritter of Willmar, MN, and her son Joel (Amanda Raetzman) Schmidt of Pennock, MN. She is survived by her grandchildren, Joshua Shafer, Beret Mangino, Krista Shafer, Samuel Hodge, Kelsey Hodge, Nicholas Schoenecker, Anna Jo Carstensen, Andrew Halbritter, and Kaia Jo Halbritter; and her great-grandchildren, Joby, Crew, and Vivi Jo.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband, James Schmidt; her parents Norman and Josephine Engebretson; and her sisters, Norma Joyce and LaVonne Stavig.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Peace Lutheran Church (5509 W 41st St). In lieu of flowers, memorials to Peace Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association, P.E.O. International, or Special Care at Good Samaritan Village are preferred.
