Schmidt, Mary Margaret 97, passed away quietly at her home in Bloomington on Saturday, July 6 as her family gathered for their annual week at the lake in Wisconsin.
Mary Margaret was born Dec. 30, 1921, in Superior WI, the eldest of four children of Dr. Francis J. and Margaret (Leahy) Broghammer. She grew up in Superior and West Union IA. She received her bachelor's degree in music education in 1943 from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque IA. After graduation she taught mathematics and music and directed band and chorus in public high schools in Washington and McGregor IA.
Mary Margaret married Philip G. "Phil" Schmidt on Sept. 7, 1946 in West Union, IA. They made their home in Minneapolis, where they raised nine children. In addition to being a homemaker and mother, Mary Margaret was active in musical activities at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church as a choir member and organist, and as a soloist for weddings and funerals. In the 1960s Mary Margaret and Phil participated in Christian Family Movement (CFM), a Catholic organization of young married couples involved in social action as advocated by Vatican II. As her children grew older Mary Margaret became active in the Cenacle Retreat House in Wayzata, guiding in-home retreats. She also joined the Field School Mothersingers. She tutored reading at Field, and delivered Meals on Wheels for TRUST for 25 years.
Mary Margaret enjoyed reading and music and loved to travel, especially after Phil retired. They visited 47 of the 50 states and 14 countries. Her favorite places to visit were anywhere there were grandchildren. Mary Margaret and Phil wintered in Panama City Beach FL for 25 years. They developed close friendships with many of their neighbors there, as they had in their communities in Minneapolis and Bloomington.
Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Philip; eight children and their spouses: Frank (Brenda Peculis) of Columbia MO, Martin (Judy) of Noblesville IN, Jane (Dan Karl) of St. Paul, Jean Kiesel of Lafayette LA, Larry (Mary) of Eagan, Peter (Lucia Lesar) of Leesburg VA, Joe of Edina, and Margaret of St. Louis Park; fifteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Anna Louise Smith of Vinton IA and Carolyn Leehy of Minneapolis, her brother Charles of West Union IA, her youngest daughter, Cathy, a great-granddaughter, Addisen Shettlesworth, daughter-in-law Sharon Stevens and son-in-law Alan Kiesel.
A celebration of her life will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis. Visitation will be held in the Welcome Center Thursday evening August 1, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., and Friday morning August 2, from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. The funeral will immediately follow in the church at 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cenacle Sisters of Chicago, 513 Fullerton Parkway, Chicago IL 60614; or to Clarke University, 1550 Clarke Drive, Dubuque IA 52001.