Mary Ann Schimmel

Our Mom, Grandma, and “GG”- the sweet, strong matriarch of our family passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 92 years old, leaving behind family traditions and a legacy of love.

She was born on July 14, 1933, to Andrew and Wilhelmina (Boos) Ruf on the family farm in Tilden, the 4th of seven siblings. She graduated from McDonell high school in 1951. Mary Ann met Lester Schimmel at a dance at Bresina’s bar, and they were married on November 24, 1953. Together, they had 8 children and settled into farm life; chores, Monday laundry days and cultivating her large garden she was very proud of. After Lester passed away in 1979, she continued to run the farm and instilled a strong work ethic in her children. The older grandchildren have fond memories of spending days with their cousins at the farm.

It was obvious that her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Her face lit up anytime they came to visit. She was always much obliged to play a game of tick or Yahtzee, do puzzles, or just visit. She rarely missed a birthday party, and her M&M dispenser was always full. Mary Ann enjoyed bingo, playing cards, watching Days of Our Lives, tending to her houseplants, and was a devout Catholic- she watched mass daily on TV. She was a member of St Peter’s Catholic Church and a 75-year member of Catholic Financial Life. Favorite traditions included Good Friday Easter egg coloring, baking cut out Christmas cookies, and seeing the kids in their Halloween costumes. Mary Ann looked forward to the Schimmel family Christmas every year when she got to see so many of her kids, grands and great grands together. She was happiest just being around her family.

She leaves behind her eight children, Ken (Bonnie), Tom, Carol (Brian) Yohnk, Dave (Patty), Don (Karen), Steve (Jill), Yvonne (Kent) Stewart and Tim (Cyndi); 25 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren who lovingly called her “GG”; and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Clara Scheidecker; brother-in-law, Bill Schindler; many nieces and nephews including special nephew and neighbor, Rick and Jen Ruf and their family; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; and her siblings, Helen Boos, Rosie Schindler, Edward Ruf, Joseph Ruf and William Ruf.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 23rd at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Tilden. Visitation begins at 9:00 am with rosary at 10:30 am. Interment will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for a charity of the family’s choosing in honor of Mary Ann.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and kind and warm heart. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.