Delores D. Schmahl

Delores was born Sept. 13, 1931 in Sheboygan and was the daughter of the late Edward and Pauline Hermann Martiny.

Delores married Kenneth Koene on May 7, 1949 (deceased 1955).

On January 30, 1959, she married LeRoy S. Schmahl of Sheboygan. Together, they raised six children. Delores held positions at Park & Shop, Homebound Care and Walmart.

Delores loved family traditions: from the festive Christmas events she hosted for many years to the annual vacations in Northern Wisconsin, she loved them and never missed one. Her spirit and energy would draw together the entire family and many of their friends. Every Christmas, she baked over 1000 cookies to supply the family with bins of everyone’s handmade favorites.

Delores loved travel. Her adventurous spirit made her a fun travel companion. She often made new friends while traveling and kept in contact for years to come.

Christian Faith was an integral part of Delores’ life and she received great joy from her Church family. She was a devoted mother and wife. She was a selfless caregiver to her husband, LeRoy, in his final years.

Delores had incredible strength, a feisty and optimistic nature and was an empathetic ear to anyone who needed a friend. She was a friend and mentor to many.

Delores is survived by her six children, three sons: Bob and (Sue) Schmahl, Brad and (Pam) Koene all of Minneapolis, MN and Herb and (Joette) Koene of Sheboygan, WI, three daughters: Sharon and (Michael) Bowen and Deb Higgins and (Denny Huber) all of Minneapolis, MN, and Cindy and (John) Payne of Grafton, WI; 10 grandchildren: Jamie Koene (fiance’ Ray Brock), Tom Schmahl, Rob Schmahl (Tara), Ryan Koene (Jackie), Andrew Bowen, Zack Higgins, Alicia Bowen, Rachael Koene, Jake Koene and Jackson Payne; four great-grandchildren (Taylor, Rylynn, Ian, Greyson); one sister, Doreen Meifert of Oostburg, WI; 6 sisters-in-law: Carol Hecker, Laura Schmahl, Jean Schmahl, JoAnn Schmahl, Dorathea Koene, Jean Koene; 2 brothers-in-law: Donald Schmahl and Jerome Koene and many nieces, nephews and some very special friends.

Delores is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Pauline Martiny, husband, LeRoy Schmahl, her previous husband, Kenneth Koene; one sister Ruth Kwekkeboom; 2 brothers, Richard Martiny and Ronald Martiny; brothers-in-law, Neil Meifert, Mike Kwekkeboom, Alvin Schmahl, Kenneth Schmahl, Elwood Schmahl, Bernie Schetter, Art Hecker, Bob Koene, Norbert Koene, O.D. Hayden; sisters-in-laws: Marilyn Martiny, Colleen Martiny, Alverta Schmahl, Pearl Schetter, Angeline Hayden, and Ann Koene.

A Celebration of Delores’s life will be held at First United Lutheran Church, 2401 Kohler Memorial Drive, Sheboygan, WI on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 1 PM. Rev. Todd W. Smith, Pastor, will officiate. Visitation from 10:30 AM until the time of service. Inurnment will follow in The Garden of Peace at First United Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be written to First United Lutheran Church.

The strength of her spirit will live on in all those that she touched.

She will be dearly missed by her devoted children, their spouses, her sister and her grandchildren;

all of whom have relied on her for her wisdom, strength and support throughout the years.