Myra Jean Schmieg

Myra Jean Schmieg, age 97, passed away on June 14, 2022 at the Breck Home in Bloomington MN.

Myra Jean (Radermacher) Schmieg was born February 24, 1925 to Simon and Catherine (Meuwissen) Radermacher at Chaska MN. Her family moved to the Rosen MN area in her early childhood and lived on different farmsteads in the Rosen area.  A tiny little farmhouse by the river was her favorite and she and her siblings had so much fun playing in the river on the hot, dry days of the “dirty thirties”.  Myra had seven brothers and three sisters and being the oldest girl, she took on many responsibilities for her family.  After graduating 8th Grade at St. Joseph’s Parochial School, she worked for families in the area doing cooking, cleaning and child care.

At sixteen years of age she married Leonard Schmieg on September 16, 1941 at St. Joseph’s Church in Rosen. They farmed until 1950 when Leonard built the General Store in Rosen and they moved into town in 1952.  Having eleven children in twenty years kept Myra’s arms full and hands busy, but she was happy when she had a child to hold. It seemed she was always cooking, baking, cleaning and doing laundry and yet she found time to sew clothing for her own children and others.  The family hosted a foreign exchange student, Alegria Lecaro, from Ecuador, in 1971.  Faith and prayer carried her through many life events and she shared that faith throughout her life.

After the children left the nest, Myra was finally able to pursue some personal interests and leisure time. She made hundreds of quilts, craft projects, doilies and other needlework.  She took ceramic classes and was a natural artist – even repainting all the statues and the antique nativity set at St. Joseph’s Church. She was meticulous about her workmanship.  She hosted neighborhood prayer coffees and volunteered at many church functions. She cherished time with her grandchildren – letting them paint their own ceramic pieces, bake cookies or rolls, make popcorn balls, play cards and of course go to bingo!

When Leonard was diagnosed with cancer, she became his caregiver and then was widowed at age 65. Suddenly she had lots of hours to fill so she visited family more, went on several bus tours and continued to create many hand crafted items for gifts. After having some health issues, she made the hard decision in 2007 to leave the big family home in Rosen and move to Mt. St. Benedict Monastery in Crookston MN. There she did a lot of volunteer activities and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. In 2012 she began splitting her living arrangements and care with two daughters until the fall of 2018 when she moved to assisted living in Shakopee MN.  In late November of 2021, Myra entered memory care at Breck Home in Bloomington MN and resided there until her death.

Covid isolation, dementia and the loss of her youngest son Charlie in September 2021 were tough obstacles, but Myra was always easy going, easy to care for, and loved having her family around her.

Faith and family were her greatest joys in life.  Blessed be her memory.

Myra is survived by her children:  Sister Myra Schmieg, Crookston MN; Elaine Schmieg, Plymouth MN; Jean (Marvin) Kirchberg, Bloomington MN;  Gerald (Melba) Schmieg, Cambridge MN; Mary (Bill) Wersch), Winnipeg Manitoba; Theresa (Dale) Kluxdal, Bloomington MN; Thomas (Barb) Schmieg, Louisburg MN; Susan (Tim) Stengel, Milbank SD; Leonard “Butch” Schmieg, Grey Eagle MN; Michael (Teresa) Schmieg, Bloomington Mn.   She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren; two sisters and four sister-in-laws.

Myra was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard, son Charlie, seven brothers, one sister and many other relatives.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 8th, 11 AM with visitation starting at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rosen, MN.